There has been a recent trend toward more “old-school” football. Many teams are shifting away from pass-heavy attacks in favor of a more balanced approach. Still, this minor course correction doesn’t change the broader direction of the league. Pass-first offenses remain the norm, and that’s not going to change anytime soon.
That said, you can never have too many defensive backs in today’s NFL. As long as the Jets share a conference with Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Patrick Mahomes, a constant influx of secondary talent is a necessity.
Knowing all that, the Jets made a move to bolster their pass defense in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting a ball-hawking safety out of Alabama, Malachi Moore. We'll take a deep dive into everything you need to know about the rookie defensive back.
Decorated collegiate career, hampered by injuries
It’s hard to name an accomplishment Malachi Moore didn’t achieve during his time in Tuscaloosa. Over five seasons at Alabama, the in-state product appeared in 64 games, served as a two-time team captain, earned All-SEC Freshman honors, made the 2024 All-SEC team, and helped the Crimson Tide win a national championship.
Moore’s college career had its ups and downs, as he bounced in and out of the starting lineup. He was an immediate starter as a true freshman in 2020, a season that ended with Alabama capturing its 18th national title. However, Moore missed the playoff run due to a back injury, sidelining him during the team’s championship push.
In 2021, Moore started nine of 15 games, but his role diminished in 2022, starting just once in 13 appearances. He returned to the starting lineup in 2023 and held that spot through the 2024 season. Though he could have entered the NFL Draft a year earlier, Moore chose to return for one last shot at another title.
He wrapped up his collegiate career with 214 tackles, seven interceptions, and 25 passes defended. While an undisclosed injury kept him out of Alabama’s ReliaQuest Bowl loss to Michigan, Moore’s impact over five seasons with the Crimson Tide is undeniable.
A natural born leader
When you consider Moore’s “soft skills,” his resilience and loyalty stand out. He battled back from injuries and stayed committed to Alabama, even after losing his starting job for two seasons. In today’s college football landscape, most players with All-SEC Freshman honors wouldn’t stick around after a setback like that.
But Moore proved to be different. In an era defined by quick transfers and constant movement, he stayed. After 2021, he stayed. After a 2022 season that saw him drop from nine starts to just one, he still stayed. And even after 2023, when he could’ve declared for the draft, he chose to return for one final run.
If all this wasn't enough to show you the content of his character, just look at how his teammates and coaches view him. He was a team-leader, being named captain for both of his final two seasons. With such an emphasis on culture from the new regime, Moore appears to fit their mold as well as anyone.
Elite pass defender, with limitations against the run
With all of his success and clear talent comes certain drawbacks naturally. There is a reason he was selected late in the fourth round as opposed to the second or first. He's far from perfect.
He's not going to be the Jets' next Troy Polamalu. He isn't much of a threat against the run, at least when playing in the box. Sure, he's a good tackler, but he's a guy looking to wrap up ball carriers in open space, not someone ready to bash heads with Derrick Henry at the goal line.
Moore’s size leaves a bit to be desired, as he stands at six feet tall and weighs just under 200 pounds. He’s not a run-stopping safety, and while he doesn’t project as a liability against the run, it’s certainly not a strength. You’re unlikely to get much from him on early downs focused on run defense.
But with those limitations come plenty of strengths. What Moore lacks against the run, he more than makes up for in coverage. He’s a true ball-hawking safety, and that label fits for a reason.
He has an innate feel for tracking the ball in the air, with instincts that can’t be taught. In zone coverage, he often looks like a magnet to the football. He ran a 4.59 40-yard dash at his pro day, giving him the speed to patrol deep but also drop down and defend the slot when needed.
While he won't help a defense finish No. 1 overall against the run, he provides plenty of coverage versatility and game-breaking potential in the secondary.
Where Malachi Moore fits moving forward
The starting safety spots appear locked in for now, with Tony Adams expected to start at strong safety and Andre Cisco at free safety. While Cisco isn’t a sure thing, it’s tough to envision Moore cracking the starting lineup as a rookie.
That said, Moore can still carve out a role in specific packages. He fits naturally into sub-packages on obvious passing downs and brings added versatility with his ability to break off zone assignments and shift into man coverage on slot receivers in an instant.
Moore may not be ready to start at the NFL level just yet, particularly due to his limitations against the run, but he’s more than capable of contributing right away. And with the Jets needing depth in the secondary, he’ll have every chance to earn playing time and develop into a future starter.
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