In an offseason full of questions, one of the more intriguing ones for the New York Jets is who will emerge as the the starters at safety?
The Jets signed New York native Andre Cisco to a one-year, $8.5 million deal in free agency. Cisco has been received with high praise from the front office and coaching staff, and is practically a shoo-in for one of the starting spots. Outside of Cisco, it's a battle.
The obvious answer appears to be Tony Adams. Adams started 11 games for the Jets last year and 15 the year before. However, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic wrote that fourth-round pick Malachi Moore has a "legitimate chance" at earning Adams' starting job, when pointing out 10 Jets who stood out at Tuesday's practice.
"S Malachi Moore," Rosenblatt wrote. "Both rookie defensive backs — Moore and cornerback Azareye’h Thomas — have shown flashes of potential so far. Thomas was a standout last week. Moore stepped up on Tuesday when he picked off undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook and the whole defense celebrated. Moore has a legitimate chance to push Tony Adams for a starting job next to Andre Cisco."
Moore was a two-year captain at Alabama and played multiple positions across the Crimson Tide's defense. Initially playing nickel corner for Alabama, Moore switched to safety and caught the eye of NFL scouts.
Moore lacks the typical size associated with safety, listed at 6-foot, 182 pounds. What he lacks in size he more than makes up for in approach. Moore flies across the field as a disruptor in the pass game, and he's a very physical football player, his size does not deter him from contact. Moore was a very high-effort tackler at Alabama, and can more than hold his own in coverage.
Moore played five seasons t Alabama, tallying 214 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 25 pass breakups, and seven interceptions. Moore also forced a pair of fumbles and returned two, including taking one to the house as a freshman on a National Championship winning team. Moore was a standout player in the SEC, and brings a championship pedigree and leadership ability to the Jets' secondary.