Seahawks' Jamal Adams trade closes gap on 49ers in NFC West hierarchy

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Jamal Adams finally got his wish, as the Seattle Seahawks sent a haul of first-round picks along with safety Bradley McDougald to the New York Jets to secure Adams' services.

The 49ers were among the teams reported to be in the mix for Adams, but clearly general manager John Lynch didn't send an offer better than the trio of draft picks Seattle was willing to part with.

How does Adams' addition impact Seattle's secondary?

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Cornerbacks Shaquill Griffin and Tre Flowers both finished with Pro Football Focus coverage grades above 75.0, and Seattle's overall grade was middle-of-the-pack among NFL teams.

McDougald, who Adams will be replacing at safety after the trade, graded out as just a 62.0 in coverage per PFF's 2019 numbers. The veteran had 70 tackles and two interceptions over 15 games last season, but major might not be strong enough a word to describe the upgrade Adams can bring in his place.

The 24-year-old was named to his first All-Pro team with the Jets last season, and was among PFF's top 10 grades overall, in coverage, as a tackler and in pass rushing. Adams finished his second NFL season with 75 tackles, seven pass deflections, one interception and 6.5 sacks, the league's best mark for a safety.

The former top-10 pick hopes to help improve a Seattle pass defense that was 27th among NFL teams in passing yards allowed, not to mention being No. 30 among teams with 22 rushing touchdowns allowed.

The tandem of Adams and star linebacker Bobby Wagner gives Seattle one of the NFL's best defensive duos, if not the best.

Seattle certainly improves overall with this blockbuster trade, but the deal doesn't give them enough ammo to usurp the 49ers in the NFC West standings. Seattle has a better quarterback in Russell Wilson, but are outmanned by San Francisco at some important positions on the depth chart.

The Seahawks finished last season 30th in adjusted sack rate, and all that was before defensive end Jadeveon Clowney became a free agent. With Adams likely expecting a monster long-term extension in Seattle, Clowney's chances of return would appear close to none at this point. If the Seahawks backloaded a potential Adams extension, it could allow them enough money to sign both. But especially with the future of the salary cap being uncertain due to the coronavirus pandemic, it seems unlikely they ink both for next season.

[RELATED: Seahawks adding Jamal Adams is short-term disaster for 49ers]

Outside of tight end Greg Olsen, the Seahawks didn't make much in the way of impactful offseason moves. Meanwhile, the 49ers replaced DeForest Buckner and Emmanuel Sanders with first-round picks in Javon Kinlaw and Brandon Aiyuk. Oh, and Lynch managed to acquire Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams from the Washington NFL team for two mid-round draft picks.

If anything, Adams' move to the West Coast only solidifies that the Seahawks are the NFC West's second-best team, as the Arizona Cardinals are shaping up to be one of this year's biggest surprises, and won't be a tough out for anyone in this competitive division.

Coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers split last year's series with Seattle, with each team failing to defend its home field. The margin wasn't much in either game, as the Seahawks won in an overtime thriller on Monday Night Football and the San Francisco got revenge on a miraculous goal-line tackle from rookie Dre Greenlaw.

The Seahawks are closer, no question. But the 49ers' tremendous offseason will keep them their perch atop the NFC West, at least for 2020.

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