Potential top-5 NFL Draft pick Jamal Adams will reportedly visit Philadelphia Eagles

LSU safety Jamal Adams, a potential top-five pick this year, will meet with the Eagles on an official pre-draft visit, according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson. Adams is one of 30 prospects who will visit the Eagles leading up to the 2017 NFL Draft.

“[Adams] also had two very good visits. One with the Carolina Panthers a couple of weeks ago,” said Anderson on NFL Live on Thursday. “Met with the DB coach there. […] He also will be meeting with the Panthers again on [April] 11th. Upcoming visits that he has with the Steelers, Bengals, Eagles, and a two-day visit with the Jets. So he’ll definitely be busy in these upcoming weeks before the draft.”

It’s a little surprising to see the Eagles bringing in Adams for visit. Many expect him to be off the board within the top five picks. Some mock drafts have him going as high as No. 2 to the 49ers. It’s hard to see him being around when Philadelphia picks at No. 14.

In addition, the Eagles don’t have an immediate need at safety. That doesn’t mean they should pass up on Adams if he’s available, but perhaps the team believes he can play cornerback for them? Or some kind of safety-linebacker hybrid?

Or maybe the Eagles really just want another safety. Along with Adams, the team also reportedly hosted Connecticut defender Obi Melifonwu on a pre-draft visit. The Eagles signed Rodney McLeod to a long-term deal last year and also gave Malcolm Jenkins a contract extension. Jenkins’ name reportedly came in trade discussions the Eagles had with the Saints for Brandin Cooks this offseason, though.

The 21-year-old Adams measures in at 6-0, 214 pounds. In 36 games played for the Tigers, Adams recorded 209 tackles (18 for loss), 14 passes defensed, five interceptions, two sacks, and one forced fumble.

Here’s a scouting report on Adams via NFL.com:

Sources Tell Us: "The people who have been at that program the longest think he might be the best leader LSU has had in years. He's a no-doubt first-rounder. He can play all over the field and he could have an immediate impact on defense just like Landon Collins did coming out. I love him. I think he's a winner." - AFC area scout

NFL Comparison: Darren Woodson

Bottom Line Interchangeable safety with a sheriff's mentality. Adams is a physical tone-setter who should thrive near the line of scrimmage or in a robber role. Should be a commanding presence in the locker room early on and his do-as-I-do play demeanor could be the catalyst for turning a struggling defense around quickly.

For more on Adams, check out this excellent film breakdown below. There’s a lot of Brian Dawkins (!) to his game. Adams himself got to meet with Dawkins at the 2017 NFL Combine and the safety prospect was in awe of him. Adams called BDawk a “legend” and said he was “blown away” by him.

Jamal Adams spider graph:

Complete list of known Philadelphia Eagles draft visits

Alabama CB Marlon Humphrey - [Click here]

Washington WR John Ross - [Click here]

Alabama LB Ryan Anderson - [Click here]

Alabama LB Reuben Foster - [Click here]

Florida State RB Dalvin Cook - [Click here]

LSU RB Leonard Fournette - [Click here]

Clemson WR Mike Williams - [Click here]

Western Michigan WR Corey Davis - [Click here]

IUP OL Ethan Cooper - [Click here]

Connecticut DB Obi Melifonwu - [Click here]

Grambling State WR Chad Williams - [Click here]

West Virginia WR Shelton Gibson - [Click here]

LSU S Jamal Adams

...

(Hat tip to BGN reader @Barnold1993 for bringing this Adams report to our attention. And a special shoutout to BGN Radio’s own John Barchard for finding the audio of what Anderson had to say about Adams.)