Quick numbers and info on the Jets’ Jamal Adams replacement, Bradley McDougald.
McDougald, 29 (30 in November), was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas by the Chiefs in 2013.
During his rookie season, McDougald was waived and claimed by the Buccaneers. In Tampa Bay, McDougald would play in 47 out of 48 possible games from 2014-16, starting 31 of 32 from 2015-16.
After ranking fourth among safeties with 10 passes defended in 2016, McDougald signed a one-year deal with the Seahawks heading into 2017 and re-upped on a three-year deal heading into 2018. He played 50 out of 51 possible regular season and playoff games under Pete Carroll over the past three seasons, starting 39 (33 of 35 over past two seasons).
Let’s hop into some key numbers behind McDougald’s three-year stint in Seattle.
2017
McDougald began his first season in Seattle as a reserve until taking over as a starter over the final nine games. He was excellent once given the opportunity, particularly in coverage. He put up some fantastic numbers in the passing game:
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With the return of Mosley and Williamson wouldn’t you say you would need him less in the box and more in coverage?
Mosley and Williamson should definitely cover up the blitz reps left open by Adams, and also make up for the downgrade in run defense with him gone.
So I agree, I don’t see McDougald taking on the rush/box reps that Adams did. He of course will be in there some of the time, but I’m with you that he is going to be relied upon more in coverage. I think we’re going to see McDougald move around the field quite a bit, manning up against TEs, Cover-2, flat zone, robber, things of that nature. He was actually a very versatile piece in Seattle. He of course is not Adams-caliber with being able to be *elite* with any assignment, and does not offer the rush ability that Adams does, but in coverage, McDougald can do a lot of different things from what I have seen.
And without Adams’ ability to dominate in so many roles, Maye might be moved around the field more than he has in the past. Adams has allowed him to sit back in the single-high for so many reps (because you can trust Adams to handle any assignment), but I think now we’ll see more Cover-2 and maybe even some of Maye in the box with McDougald rotating high to switch things up (saw him play some single-high in Seattle, rare, but he did do it occasionally). And I think Maye can handle those roles, he has been very solid near the line of scrimmage and has the strength and hit power to do it.
I thought about the Maye part. IMO Maye might be a better tackler than McDougald right?
I agree. McDougald is typically a steady tackler against the pass but he has been very inconsistent against the run. Maye has been mostly solid in both phases. The key for Maye is minimizing the *awful* whiffs, which he had a few of last year, but he balances those out with some incredible finishes that save touchdowns or huge gains. But Gregg played him so far deep last year that his job as a tackler was very difficult at times. He did more good than bad when it came to tackling in my opinion.