Malachi Moore, Jets
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New York Jets defensive back Malachi Moore getting ready ahead of an NFL game against the Miami Dolphins.
The New York Jets are looking to hit the upgrade button.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini revealed on social media that the Jets are “exploring the trade market for a safety.”
Rich Cimini
Better-late-than-never thoughts on Jermaine Johnson/T’Vondre Sweat trade:
Makes sense for #Jets because of:
* Scheme fit: Jets switching to more 3-4 looks. Sweat is the prototypical 3-4 NT. Johnson better suited as 4-3 DE (Titans).
* Cap: Simple economics. Johnson has one
The only starting caliber safety the Jets have under contract for 2026 is Malachi Moore, who just completed his rookie season.
Gang Green is set to lose veterans Tony Adams, Isaiah Oliver, and Andre Cisco, who are all scheduled to become unrestricted free agents on March 11.
General manager Darren Mougey hasn’t been afraid to pull the trigger on a trade. In his short time as GM, he has already struck eight trades according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic.
Jets Are Doing Even More Homework on Safeties Than You Realize
Insider Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports revealed the Jets are aggressively exploring the free agent market in the defensive backfield as well.
“Word on Wednesday is that the Jets front office has meetings scheduled at the combine with just about every agent who represents a safety that’s expected to hit the free-agent market in a few weeks,” Pauline wrote.
“This should come as no surprise, as not only is the Jets’ entire secondary a mess, but four of their safeties from 2025 will be free agents this season, including starter Andre Cisco. I’m told that signing a free-agent safety wouldn’t prevent the Jets from also selecting Caleb Downs with the second pick in the draft,” Pauline added.
ESPN analyst Matt Bowen put out a top-50 free agent list. That list features five safeties inside the top 50.
That group includes: Bryan Cook of the Kansas City Chiefs, Reed Blankenship of the Philadelphia Eagles, Kam Curl of the Los Angeles Rams, Jaquan Brisker of the Chicago Bears, and Coby Bryant of the Seattle Seahawks.
The Jets Have Plenty of Options Available in the 2026 NFL Draft
On Friday, February 27, the safeties in the 2026 NFL draft worked out at the Combine.
Near the end of the workout, longtime scout and current NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah revealed on the broadcast that he received a text from someone in the league who said this was a “bad day” for any free agent safeties.
In other words, this draft class looks strong at the position. Rookies are a much cheaper alternative to paying proven veterans at the position.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic agreed with that sentiment, saying, “Deep, deep safety class this year. [The] best part is there are multiple safeties in every round worth getting excited about. Might see double-digit safeties go top-100.”
Dane Brugler
Deep, deep safety class this year.
Best part is there are multiple safeties in every round worth getting excited about. Might see double-digit safeties go top-100.
The good news is that the Jets have four picks inside the top 44. They own the No. 2, No. 16, No. 33, and No. 44 overall picks.
However, the problem is that after they make the 44th selection in the second round, they don’t pick again until 103rd overall in the fourth round.
That is a 59-pick canyon between those two selections. A lot can transpire in that empty void.
The Jets can thank the Eagles for that after the failed Haason Reddick trade. In that deal, the Jets gave up their third-round draft choice in 2026. If New York never made that deal, it would also have the 68th overall pick in the third round, but alas.