Jamal Lee Adams is an American professional football linebacker who currently plays for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the New York Jets sixth overall in the 2017 NFL draft after a standout college career at Louisiana State University (LSU). Adams quickly established himself as one of the premier defensive players in the NFL, earning First-team All-Pro honors in 2019 and making three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances from 2018 to 2020. In 2021, he signed a four-year extension with the Seattle Seahawks worth $72 million, becoming the highest-paid safety in NFL history at that time. Throughout his career, Adams has been known for his aggressive playing style, leadership abilities, and ability to make game-changing plays from the safety and linebacker positions.
Jamal Lee Adams Early Life and Background
Jamal Lee Adams was born on October 17, 1995, in Lewisville, Texas. He grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where his athletic abilities began to shine at an early age. Adams attended Hebron High School in Carrollton, Texas, where he excelled as a two-way player on the football field. During his final two high school seasons, he recorded 138 tackles and seven interceptions on defense while also scoring 20 touchdowns on offense. In his senior year, Hebron posted an 8-4 record and advanced to the UIL 5A Division II Area final at AT&T Stadium, where they fell to Cedar Hill 42-21.
Adams was recognized as a five-star recruit by Scout.com and ranked among the top 10 prospects in his class nationally. His exceptional performance at Hebron High School attracted attention from major college programs across the country. After considering several offers, Adams decided to stay in-state and committed to play college football at Louisiana State University (LSU), beginning his journey toward professional football.
Path to Professional Football
Adams arrived at LSU in 2014 as a highly-touted freshman and immediately contributed on special teams and defense. He appeared in all 13 games with two starts as a true freshman, recording 66 tackles and one sack while earning Freshman All-American honors. His development accelerated in his sophomore season, when he earned Second-team All-Southeastern Conference recognition as a safety from both the Associated Press and SEC coaches. By his junior year, Adams had become one of the most dominant defensive players in college football.
In 2016, Adams delivered a standout junior season that solidified his status as an elite NFL prospect. He was named First-team All-SEC and First-team All-American, showcasing his versatility as both a physical tackler and ball-hawking safety. Following the conclusion of that season, Adams announced on January 6, 2017, that he would forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft. Leading up to the draft, Adams impressed scouts with his performance at the NFL Combine and LSU’s pro day, where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds and was ranked as the top safety in the draft by multiple major scouting services.
Jamal Lee Adams Career
New York Jets (2017-2019)
The New York Jets selected Jamal Adams sixth overall in the 2017 NFL draft, making him the first safety chosen that year and the first of two safeties the Jets drafted in that class alongside Marcus Maye. On July 20, 2017, Adams signed a fully guaranteed four-year contract worth $22.25 million with a $14.32 million signing bonus. He entered training camp competing for a starting role and emerged as the Jets’ starting strong safety alongside Maye, forming what became one of the league’s most promising safety duos.
Adams made his professional debut in the Jets’ season-opener against the Buffalo Bills, recording five combined tackles in a 21-12 loss. He recorded his first career sack in Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins and continued to make plays throughout his rookie season. Adams finished his debut year with 83 combined tackles, six pass deflections, and two sacks in 16 starts, earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors and establishing himself as a cornerstone of the Jets’ defense.
Seattle Seahawks (2020-2023)
On July 25, 2020, Adams was traded to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for safety Bradley McDougald, multiple draft picks including first-round selections in 2021 and 2022, and a fourth-round pick in 2022. The trade marked a new chapter in Adams’ career as he joined a Seahawks team with Super Bowl aspirations. He made his debut in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons, leading the team with 12 tackles and recording his first sack as a Seahawk in the 38-25 victory.
Adams’ 2020 season became historic as he broke the NFL single-season record for most sacks by a defensive back, finishing with 9.5 sacks. He accomplished this feat despite battling a groin injury that forced him to miss several games. His standout performance earned him his third consecutive Pro Bowl selection, making him and teammate Quandre Diggs the first safety tandem to earn Pro Bowl honors together since Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor in 2015. On August 17, 2021, Adams signed a four-year extension worth $72 million with $38 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus, making him the highest-paid safety in NFL history at that time.
The 2021 season saw Adams record his first interception of the year against Aaron Rodgers, but his campaign was cut short by a torn labrum suffered in Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers. He was placed on injured reserve on December 10, 2021. In 2022, Adams suffered another devastating injury when he tore his quadriceps tendon in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos, ending his season after just one game. The injuries limited him to just nine games in 2023, where he recorded 48 tackles. On March 5, 2024, the Seahawks released Adams after four seasons with the team.
Tennessee Titans and Detroit Lions (2024)
Adams signed with the Tennessee Titans on July 11, 2024, on a one-year contract. His tenure with the Titans was plagued by injury issues, as he missed the season opener due to a hip problem. After appearing in only three games and playing just 20 snaps, the Titans placed Adams on the reserve/non-football injury list on October 12, 2024. He subsequently requested and was granted his release from the team on October 17, 2024.
Following his release from the Titans, Adams joined the Detroit Lions practice squad on December 1, 2024. He appeared in two games for the Lions, recording three tackles before being released on January 1, 2025. The brief stint with the Lions provided Adams with an opportunity to return to the field and showcase his abilities, though his time there was limited.
Las Vegas Raiders (2025-Present)
On July 22, 2025, Adams signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, reuniting him with head coach Pete Carroll, who had coached him during his successful tenure with the Seattle Seahawks. During training camp, Carroll announced that Adams would make a position switch from safety to linebacker, adapting his skill set to a new role in the Raiders’ defensive scheme. The move represented an opportunity for Adams to revitalize his career while playing for a coach who had maximum confidence in his abilities.
Adams played in all 17 games with four starts during the 2025 season with the Raiders, recording 45 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. While his statistics showed a reduced role compared to his peak years in Seattle, the season provided him with a stable environment to continue adjusting to his new position and contribute to a defensive unit. The Raiders’ coaching staff worked closely with Adams to leverage his football intelligence and physical tools in the linebacker role.
Driving Style and Strengths
Throughout his career, Adams has been known for his aggressive, physical style of play that resembles a linebacker more than a traditional safety. His ability to blitz the quarterback and record sacks from the secondary set him apart from most safeties in the NFL. Adams combines exceptional closing speed with a willingness to deliver hard hits that energize his teammates. His versatility allows defensive coordinators to use him in multiple roles, from deep coverage to tight-end matching to edge rushing. He possesses strong leadership qualities and has been named a team captain at multiple stops throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Adams’ career has been marked by several memorable moments and milestones. His 9.5-sack season in 2020 set an NFL record for a defensive back and demonstrated his unique ability to impact games as a pass-rusher. He earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after a dominant performance against the New York Giants in 2019, where he recorded two sacks including a strip-sack returned for a touchdown. Adams’ Pro Bowl selections in each of his first four seasons reflected his consistent excellence. His blockbuster contract with Seattle in 2021 reset the market for safeties and validated his status as one of the league’s top defensive players.
Jamal Lee Adams Career Wins
Across his NFL career spanning the Jets, Seahawks, Titans, Lions, and Raiders, Adams has accumulated impressive statistics and achievements that highlight his impact as one of the most versatile defensive players of his generation.
Seattle Seahawks Highlights
Adams’ most prolific season came in 2020 with the Seahawks, when he set the NFL record for most sacks by a defensive back with 9.5. He earned his third consecutive Pro Bowl selection that year and was named Second-team All-Pro. His 2021 extension worth $72 million made him the highest-paid safety in league history at the time, recognizing his exceptional value to the Seahawks’ defense. Adams also recorded his first career interception return for a touchdown during his time in Seattle.
Other Highlights
With the Jets, Adams earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors in 2017 and was named the Curtis Martin Team MVP twice (2018 and 2019). His 2019 season with New York featured a Pro Bowl selection, First-team All-Pro honors, and an AFC Defensive Player of the Week award. Throughout his career, Adams has recorded 546 career tackles, 22.5 sacks, four interceptions, eight forced fumbles, and two defensive touchdowns across 15 NFL seasons.
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Total Tackles | 546 |
| Sacks | 22.5 |
| Forced Fumbles | 8 |
| Interceptions | 4 |
| Defensive Touchdowns | 2 |
Jamal Lee Adams Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jamal Lee Adams comes from a family with deep roots in professional football. His father, George Adams, played in the NFL from 1985 to 1991 as a running back, giving Jamal a hereditary connection to the sport. This family legacy likely contributed to his early development and love for football. Growing up in a household with professional sports experience provided Adams with unique insights into what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of competition.
Personal Life
Outside of football, Adams follows a pescatarian diet, which reflects his commitment to maintaining his athletic physique and overall health. He maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account. Adams has been open about his desire to play for his hometown Dallas Cowboys, though his career has taken him through multiple teams. He has remained close to former teammates and coaches throughout his journey across the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season with the Las Vegas Raiders represented a fresh start for Adams as he transitioned to linebacker under familiar leadership in head coach Pete Carroll. Adams played in all 17 regular-season games, earning four starts as he gradually adapted to his new position. He recorded 45 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble while learning the nuances of playing closer to the line of scrimmage. The Raiders coaching staff praised his work ethic and adaptability throughout the season as he continued developing his craft in the new role.