Days before free agency begins, the New York Jets started things off with a splash. Earlier on Monday, the Jets acquired veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Miami Dolphins. In addition, general manager Darren Mougey agreed to a three-year, $40 million extension. In a salary dump, the Dolphins get Fitzpatrick off the books, and all it costs the Jets is a seventh-round pick. Now that New York has acquired the three-time All-Pro safety, let’s examine how the trade & extension impact the Jets NFL Draft plans.
Three Ways the Fitzpatrick Trade Impacts the Jets Draft Plans
In one of the first big trades of the offseason, the Jets made a major addition to Aaron Glenn’s defense. Three-time All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick arrives on the Jets to help a secondary that had no interceptions last season. With 21 career interceptions over an eight-year career, Fitzpatrick instantly becomes a contributor. After becoming a focal point in the Pittsburgh Steelers secondary from 2019 to 2024, Fitzpatrick will likely start the season at free safety. As a result, Fitzpatrick not only reunites with fellow Alabama alumnus Malachi Moore. He also reunites with some significant figures on the coaching staff. This offseason, New York brought in Brian Duker as defensive coordinator and Ryan Slowik as safeties coach. This is important because both men were on the Dolphins coaching staff in Miami last year.
After getting an impact safety like Fitzpatrick, what does this mean for the Jets NFL Draft plans? Will New York focus on cornerback? Should they allocate more draft picks for the defensive line? What about linebacker, even after potentially picking Arvell Reese with the second overall pick? Let’s take a closer look.
Jets can wait until Day Three to add Safety in the Draft
In need of veteran leadership, Minkah Fitzpatrick is the kind of guy the Jets needed. The New Jersey native not only played for respected head coach Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh, but he also became a two-time National Champion at Alabama. Playing for the great Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa, Fitzpatrick is well respected among the Crimson Tide alumni. Now, Fitzpatrick comes in and will be paired up with fellow Alabama alumnus Malachi Moore. After starting safety Andre Cisco was lost for the season due to injury, Moore stepped up to take his snaps. As a result of the trade, the Jets have a starting safety duo between Fitzpatrick and Moore. Therefore, it likely removes the Jets chances of picking a safety early in the draft. While Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren would have been great at 16 overall, the Jets can now use that pick on other needs.
New York can focus on linebacker
While many have pointed out the Jets struggles from last year on the secondary, it didn’t tell the whole story. Despite not recording an interception last year, it wasn’t the only unit that struggled. The linebacker core, led by Jamien Sherwood, took a big step backwards. After extending him last offseason, team’s routinely exploited Sherwood’s smaller size over the middle of the field. Weighing under 220 lbs, Sherwood is nearly 20 lbs lighter than the average linebacker.
However, after adding Fitzpatrick, it gives the Jets more freedom to explore the position. Potentially, the Jets could target a linebacker as late as the second round. Three names commonly featured include Anthony Hill Jr. from Texas, Heisman candidate Jacob Rodriguez out of Texas Tech, and Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday. With each player weighing north of 230lbs, it instantly adds size to the position group. However, that’s not the only route they could take. With Arvell Reese projected to be the second overall pick, New York could really shake things up and attempt to add Reese’s teammate, Sonny Styles. While they will need to trade up into the top ten again, the Jets have the draft capital to do it. Allowing Reese & Styles to stay together would be a seismic step to help fix the defense.
Cornerback is on the table at 16
After solidifying Safety with Fitzpatrick, the Jets could continue to focus on the secondary. This time, at cornerback. While Brandon Stephens lived up to his contract & third round pick, Azareye’h Thomas showed promise; it’d be wise to continue to address the position. Fortunately, New York will have options within the draft. Within the first round, New York could pursue Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy. Despite missing the 2025 season with a torn ACL, general managers will still covet the standout Volunteer, even within the top of the first. In addition, Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell, the younger brother of Atlanta Falcons cornerback AJ Terrell, will be an option.
However, the Jets will likely wait until the second round to target a cornerback. With two picks within the round, the Jets will have options. A popular name mentioned is fellow Tennessee Volunteer Colton Hood, who could even sneak as early as late first round pick. As well, South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse could be an option as well. Either option would be solid for the 33rd overall pick.
Main Photo: [Vincent Carchietta] – Imagn Images