While Bradley McDougald wasn’t the main attraction in the Jamal Adams trade, he isn’t just a throwaway player in this deal. The Jets were able to acquire a starting-caliber safety — and an abundance of draft picks — in exchange for their own All-Pro at the position.
The 29-year-old McDougald has a reputation as a sound tackler and is one of the more underrated players at his position in coverage.
In his statement to the media addressing the Adams trade, Joe Douglas had a ringing endorsement for the Jets’ new safety. “Adding Bradley McDougald’s consistency and production to this year’s team was an important piece that gives us more experience on defense,” Douglas said.
McDougald bounced between Kansas City and Tampa Bay before finding a home in Seattle and becoming a team leader in the secondary. Now that he’s a member of the Jets, let’s get to know him a bit better. Here are four things to know about McDougald.
Versatility
While Bradley McDougald isn’t Jamal Adams, he is a versatile chess piece that Gregg Williams can use to his advantage.
In Seattle, McDougald wasn’t kept in a box. Seahawks defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. gave McDougald the freedom to move around the field. He lined up on the defensive line as a free blitzer, in the box as a safety, as a slot corner, an outside corner and a free safety.
Williams will have endless possibilities with McDougald. While McDougald has seen the majority of success come as an in the box safety, he still has plenty of opportunities to be moved around the field and show his worth elsewhere.
Coverage
As far as coverage is concerned, the Jets aren’t entirely downgrading when going from Jamal Adams to Bradley McDougald.
Adams’ prowess in coverage is well documented. He ranked second in the league in both yards per target and yards per reception among 39 safeties with 30 or more targets, according to Michael Nania.
Over the past two seasons, McDougald has quietly been one of the best man-coverage safeties in the NFL. According to Pro Football Focus, since 2018, McDougald’s 85.4 man coverage grade ranks fourth among safeties who have played at least 100 snaps of man coverage over the past two years. Additionally, per PFF, McDougald’s 62.7 passer rating allowed in man coverage ranks fifth among safeties who have been targeted at least 20 times.
While Adams is an All-Pro caliber player, McDougald is no slouch himself and New York should be able to be competitive with him in the lineup.
Sibling’s battle has led to his own motivation
When Bradley McDougald’s brother, Brandon, was in the fifth grade, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, cancer that grows and spreads in the cells that form bones. The elder McDougald brother had his leg amputated as a result, per The Seattle Times.
“His situation definitely changed my outlook at an early age,” Bradley told The Seattle Times. “Take nothing for granted. Just go out there and enjoy it. Don’t get lost in the days. Make all the days count.”
Bradley’s perception of life changed for the better at such an impressionable age. Since then, he strived to be successful not only for himself, but for Brandon, too.
Spurning the Buckeyes
An Ohio native, McDougald originally committed to the Ohio State University before flipping to Kansas.
Originally committing as a wide receiver, McDougald found his calling as a safety during his sophomore season. Although McDougald lost 37 of 43 games at Kansas, he still carved out a role as one of the better safeties in the conference. He went undrafted but caught on with Kansas City in 2013.
