2023 Jets Country Player Profile: S Tony Adams (22)

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New York Jets' safety Tony Adams went from undrafted free agent to fill-in starter in a matter of months last year.

Adams, who was active for the final six games of the 2022 season, made his first NFL start in place of veteran free safety Lamarcus Joyner during Week 18. The rookie UDFA played 68 percent of the defensive snaps in the regular season finale at Miami, making six stops.

Although he wasn't a starter, Adams was on field for 60 defensive plays during a Week 17 setback to Seattle.

The Illinois product saw his first game action running on special teams before eventually working his way into the defensive backs rotation. He finished his rookie campaign with 17 tackles in 11 games.

"We got some young guys that with Ashtyn Davis and TA [Tony Adams], they’ll hopefully take another jump, so it’s a really good group," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh in late March after the team traded for Chuck Clark.

Adams was a five-year contributor in the Big Ten Conference, gaining experience at cornerback before transitioning to safety.

Tony Adams, Safety

Number: 22
Current Status: Reserve
How/When Acquired: UDFA / 2022 College: Illinois
2022 Final Stats: 11 GP, 1 GS, 17 tackles

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Pinned Tweet

#Jets HC Robert Saleh said big credit to DB Tony Adams (@Iwill_suceed20) for making the roster, ‘undrafted’ & found ways to get better everyday + ‘he has a bright future ahead of him, we would’ve been sick if we lost him’ 👀: 🎥 @nyjets @IlliniFootball #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/DA0U1BzMEN

— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) August 30, 2022