One of the Seahawks' goals heading into 2020 was to improve a defense that didn't live up to expectations last season, and on Saturday they made a big move to improve on that side of the ball, acquiring All-Pro and Pro-Bowl safety Jamal Adams in a trade with the New York Jets, pending physicals.
To acquire one of the game's top defensive players, the Seahawks are sending to the Jets first and third-round picks in next year's draft, a first-rounder in 2022, and safety Bradley McDougald. The Jets are sending a 2022 fourth-round pick to Seattle in addition to Adams, again, all pending physicals.
In a message to the Seahawks organization and fans that he posted on Twitter, Adams wrote, "You have a man on a mission, a man all in on winning a Super Bowl, being the best leader & teammate he can be, & a man who will give everything he has to the city of Seattle and to the 12s all across the world. Thank you for believing in me!"
Adams, 24, was the No. 6 overall pick out of LSU in 2017 and has started all 46 games he has played in his three-year career. Adams earned second-team AP All-Pro honors in 2018, and was a first-team selection in 2019, and has also been a Pro-Bowler each of the past two years. Last season Adams recorded 75 tackles, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception, which he returned 61 yards for a touchdown.
Adams is the second starting safety acquired by the Seahawks in a trade in less than a year, joining Quandre Diggs, who was added last year in a midseason trade with the Lions.
McDougald, who signed with the Seahawks as a free agent in 2017, has started 39 games over the past three seasons, primarily at strong safety, which is also Adams' position.
Photos of Jamal Adams during this time with the New York Jets. Adams, an All-Pro and Pro-Bowl safety, was acquired by the Seahawks in a trade on July 25, 2020.
New York Jets safety Jamal Adams celebrates after he intercepted a pass for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New York Jets defensive back Jamal Adams (33) poses during pregame warmups prior to an NFL Pro Bowl football game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (Matt Patterson via AP)
New York Jets strong safety Jamal Adams (33) celebrates with teammates after returning a fumble for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steven Ryan)
New York Jets strong safety Jamal Adams (33) talks to former NFL player Ed Reed after an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets strong safety Jamal Adams (33) greets a fan before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Jets strong safety Jamal Adams (33) celebrates during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Patriots defeated the Jets, 33-0. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Jets kicker Jason Myers (2), strong safety Jamal Adams (33) and wide receiver Andre Roberts (19) are introduced to the crowd prior to an NFL Pro Bowl football game on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019 in Orlando, Fla. The AFC team won 26-7. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Jets strong safety Jamal Adams celebrates after stripping the ball from New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones and scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets free safety Marcus Maye (20) and Jamal Adams (33) pose for photographs after an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won 34-3. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets strong safety Jamal Adams (33) reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets safety Jamal Adams (33) dances at a timeout during a week 9 NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J. New York won 34-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Jets strong safety Jamal Adams (33) celebrates during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Patriots defeated the Jets, 33-0. (Ryan Kang via AP)
AFC safety Jamal Adams (33), of the New York Jets, celebrates after sacking NFC quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, of the Chicago Bears during the second half of the NFL Pro Bowl football game Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
New York Jets defensive back Jamal Adams (33) celebrates his interception with teammates during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
New York Jets defensive back Jamal Adams (33) celebrates after a stop during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
A detail view of the locker of New York Jets safety Jamal Adams (33) is on display at the NFL Experience which serves as a backdrop for the NFL Super Bowl LIV football game between the San Francisco 49ers against the Kansas City Chiefs, Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, in Miami Beach, Fla. (Scott Boehm via AP)
