NFL Draft: Jets trade up to take safety Malachi Moore in fourth round
Malachi Moore #13 of Alabama looks on after the Tide defeated the Auburn Tigers 28 - 14 at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Nov. 30, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Credit: Getty Images
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Aaron Glenn reached back into his past before picking a player he believes can make an impact for the Jets.
The former Lions defensive coordinator asked his former defensive back in Detroit, Brian Branch, about safety Malachi Moore. The two were teammates at Alabama. Branch’s words helped inspire the Jets to trade up and select Moore, a four-year starter at Alabama, on Saturday.
“The first thing that came out of his mouth was ‘a dawg, ’ ” Glenn said. “Listen, when you hear that, I mean, shoot, that gets you excited about the player. And then getting a chance to watch him on tape and see exactly how he operates, man, he fits us to a T.”
The versatile defensive back played a hybrid cornerback and safety role before becoming a full-time safety last year.
Darren Mougey made his first trade as Jets general manager to move up for Moore. He sent a fifth-round pick (No. 145 overall) and a sixth (207) to Philadelphia for pick 130 and took Moore.
“Malachi Moore is a guy we targeted,” Mougey said.
The Jets started Day 3 by taking speedy Georgia receiver Arian Smith in the fourth round (No. 110). He was a former All-American in track and field. Injuries and drops were part of his college history, but Smith is a legit deep threat and a gunner on special teams.
“He has elite speed,” Mougey said. “He adds an explosive element.”
In the fifth round, the Jets added two defensive players from Miami — linebacker Francisco Mauigoa with pick No. 162 and edge rusher Tyler Baron with pick No. 176, which Mougey acquired from Baltimore. The Jets gave the Ravens pick No. 186 (sixth round) and a 2026 fifth for 176 and a sixth next year.
Mauigoa and Baron are depth pieces who could play on special teams. Moore also has special teams ability, but Glenn said he will compete for a safety spot.
The Jets signed Andre Cisco in free agency and brought back Tony Adams, but the new staff is high on Moore. He played five years at Alabama, the first four as a safety and nickel back, and lined up everywhere.
“What he did in college actually shows exactly what he’s going to be able to do in the NFL,” Glenn said. “To have the player that has that versatility is always good for defense. Now you can start to have defensive structures where you could have people in different spots.”
Moore said, “I’m definitely comfortable guarding anybody.”
Moore was a second-team All-American last year, but he had a regrettable incident in October against Vanderbilt. He shoved quarterback Diego Pavia’s head to the ground at the end of a play, threw his mouthpiece and refused to be subbed out. Moore later apologized. He said when it came up during predraft interviews, he assured teams it won’t happen again.
“I definitely got questions about that,” he said. “I just told them it was a one-time thing. It’s not really in my character to act in that manner and it won’t happen moving forward.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
