Three-time Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams is still searching for a new NFL team, and one analyst thinks the Baltimore Ravens would be the ideal destination for the former first-round pick. Once regarded as one of the top all-around safeties, Adams is now entering his age-29 season after years of injuries and below-average coverage performances.
Despite his current limitations, Adams is still a dependable asset against the run, and Matt Holder of Bleacher Report suggests that Baltimore should consider signing him.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens could benefit from a versatile player on the second level of their defense. The Ravens lost their athletic linebacker Patrick Queen to free agency and plan to start second-year pro Trenton Simpson in his place.
Bleacher Report: Ravens Should Sign Jamal Adams
Holder argues that the Ravens should sign Jamal Adams to play a pseudo-linebacker role, as Adams excels near the line of scrimmage. Baltimore lost several key players in free agency and couldn’t replace them all in one offseason. While most teams would struggle to replace a player like Patrick Queen, Baltimore already has a top linebacker in Roquan Smith. Instead of seeking another top linebacker, the Ravens could have Adams unofficially switch positions.
The Ravens have already shown interest in Adams, bringing him in for a free agent visit. At 6’1″ and 213 pounds, Adams is slightly undersized to be a full-time linebacker compared to Queen, who is 6’0″ and 230 pounds. Adams might add some muscle, but it’s unlikely he could gain 15-20 pounds at this stage in his career. If signed, he would likely be more of a role player.
Another Potential Use
Replacing Patrick Queen won’t be easy, but he isn’t the only significant loss for the Ravens. Safety Geno Stone also left, signing a big contract with the Cincinnati Bengals after his breakout season. While the Ravens have solid starters in Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams, Adams could add depth. Baltimore frequently uses three-safety sets, providing Adams a path to the field.
However, the Ravens shouldn’t use Adams as a direct replacement for Geno Stone, who excels in deep coverage where Adams struggles. Adams should be used exclusively as Kyle Hamilton’s backup if deployed as a safety.
At this point, Adams should embrace a pseudo-linebacker role, add muscle, and focus on being a physical presence in the run game. If the Ravens want another safety, they should aim for a versatile star like Justin Simmons or see if Patrick Peterson is willing to transition to a full-time safety role.
