Here’s a hypothetical scenario that would send New York Jets‘ Jamal Adams across town to the Giants:
With the Jets and star safety Jamal Adams in a bit of a problem, the possibility of a draft-day trade is plausible, once again. Last season, the Dallas Cowboys and Jets were in negotiations to send the defender to Arlington, but the deal fell through, luckily for Giants fans.
However, with Adams demanding an extension on his contract as he prepares to enter the fourth year of his tenure in the NFL, the Jets and GM Joe Douglas are on the clock. Of course, keeping him is the ideal scenario. Still, with the Jets committing ample cap-space toward the offensive line this offseason, they cannot afford to invest heavily in Adams before his rookie deal expires.
Most teams wait until after the fourth season for a rookie to extend them, and there’s always the possibility they can pick up his 5th-year option, which Adams is clearly against. He wants to be paid now, and holding out will ultimately become his reality if Douglas doesn’t find a way to incorporate him into their long-term plans.
In the scenario that the Jets find it best to trade their defensive star, could the Giants be an appropriate landing spot?
Being that Jamal is still on his rookie deal, his value remains high. The Giants or any team would have to forfeit a first-round pick for him. In this hypothetical and extremely unlikely synopsis, Big Blue is willing to offer their 2021 first-rounder and cornerback/safety, Julian Love.
Adding a player like Adams to the defense would instantly make the Giants better as a whole, as he offers Isaiah Simmons like qualities — elite in coverage, strong against the run and can rush the passer (flashback to his strip-sack and TD against the Giants in 2019).
This would enable the Giants to gain a proven player still on his rookie contract, expediting their rebuild process and becoming a competitive team in 2020. Since the defense clearly needs support, securing Adams reinforces the unit and allows them to draft their offensive tackle of choice now. The Jets, on the other hand, gain a precious selection in 2021, given the Giants’ track record it will likely be a high pick, and it opens up cap space to play with next offseason.