In retrospect, Dallas Cowboys smart to have passed on Jamal Adams trade

Looking back, it’s clear the Dallas Cowboys did the wise thing by not trading for All-Pro safety Jamal Adams.

Not too long ago, Jamal Adams was on the trade block. The Dallas Cowboys wanted Jamal Adams. Most of Cowboys Nation wanted Jamal Adams. Yet, despite that universal desire, a deal couldn’t be struck. And here at the season’s halfway mark, it appears the Cowboys were wise to let Adams go elsewhere.

The Dallas Cowboys are devoid of talent at the safety position so to say Jamal Adams would be an upgrade to what they have now is a massive understatement. But that doesn’t mean they messed up in their failed bid to add him. Sometimes the best move you make is the move you don’t make, and that seems especially true here today.

First, it’s the cost. The Seattle Seahawks sent the Jets two first round picks, a third round pick, and veteran safety Bradley McDougald for Adams and fourth rounder. I don’t have to tell you that’s a ridiculous return for a safety.

To that point, sending multiple first round picks for anyone who doesn’t play the quarterback position is generally regarded as bad business. To do it for a position like safety is an enormous error in a team’s allocation of resources. Safety, even All Pro ones, aren’t thought of as a very valuable in the NFL. Don’t believe me? Just look at franchise tag figures for safeties compared to other positions:

How do teams value positions? 2020 Franchise Tag Values according to @Jason_OTC

QB$26,824,000
WR$17,865,000
DE$17,788,000
CB$16,338,000
DT$16,126,000
LB$15,828,000
OL$14,781,000
S$11,441,000
TE$10,607,000
RB$10,278,000
ST$5,019,000
— Reid D Hanson (@ReidDHanson) November 11, 2020

So just superficially, this is a huge overpay for the safety position considering the league collective considers it the fourth-least valuable (replaceable) position. When you zoom in and look specifically at the Dallas Cowboys, it becomes even more costly because Dallas currently has a top-3 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Can you imagine how dark things would be in Cowboys Nation if fans didn’t even have the comfort of a high draft pick to look to right now?

Granted, the Dallas Cowboys would be a better team with Adams on it – but how much better?

Adams hasn’t looked like his old self in Seattle. Remember how much Earl Thomas regressed when he left the only system ever knew, to play on a new team with a new scheme? Adams has similarly looked like less of a player in his new surroundings.