The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Adams in the seventh round (248th overall) of the 2017 NFL draft.[3] Adams was the 24th defensive end drafted that year[4] and the 42nd player selected from Western Michigan. With the selection of Adams, Western Michigan had three players selected that year setting a school record for a single draft. The other two players drafted were Corey Davis and Taylor Moton.[5]
On May 10, 2017, the Steelers signed Adams to a four-year, $2.46 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $66,017.
He was placed on injured reserve on August 29, 2017, after suffering a shoulder injury.[6]
On September 1, 2018, Adams was waived by the Steelers and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[7][8] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Steelers on January 1, 2019.[9]
On June 4, 2019, Adams signed with the New York Giants.[11] He was waived/injured on August 31, 2019, and reverted to the Giants' injured reserve.[12] He was waived from injured reserve on October 21, 2019.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Adams signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) on December 29, 2020.[13] Over the 2021 and 2022 seasons, he played in 16 regular season games where he recorded 27 tackles and four sacks.[14] He was transferred to the practice roster on August 25, 2022, before being released on September 26, 2022.[15]
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
On September 28, 2022, it was announced that Adams had signed a practice roster agreement with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.[14] In October 2022, as he signed with the team, he learned two of his cousins had died in a car accident back home.[16] On February 14, 2023, Adams became a free agent.[17]
Personal life
Adams is the son of Desmond Adams and Tanika Burnon.[18]