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Some thought the Jets would address defense early in the draft with a newly hired defensive-minded head coach, Aaron Glenn.
But it look a while for them to turn to that side of the ball in the draft, picking an offensive tackle (Armand Membou) in the first round and a tight end (Mason Taylor) in the second round.
However, things picked up steam on the defensive side of the ball, with four of the Jets’ last five picks on defense.
And here’s the thing – Glenn has such an erudite defensive mind, and playing and coaching on that side of the ball for so long, he got a really good eye for talent on that side of the ball, and for mining mind-to-late round gems, he feels he can develop.
A perfect example was in Detroit where he took a 2022 third-round safety and turned him into one the NFL’s best and he just got a huge second contract, making him the highest-paid safety in the league.
Glenn saw a ball of clay at the University of Illinois he could mold, and he did just that.
So that is what he’s seeing with the two mid-round defensive backs the Jets grabbed, Florida State CB Azareye’h Thomas (third-round) and Alabama safety Malachi Moore (fourth-round).
I don’t have a crystal ball, but I would not be shocked if both end up starting for the Jets down the road.
Thomas slipped to the third-round because he ran a 4.58 forty, and because the Seminoles had a horrible season, but he’s a perfect system fit for Gang Green.
Glenn wants super-physical corners who will maul receivers at the line, delaying their release, and Thomas might have been the best prospect in this draft at doing that.
Something else about him that is very impressive, that doesn’t get enough attention. In the NIL/transfer portal era, where the “disease of me” has become an epidemic, and a lot of players bail the second adversity hits, he showed his true character when the Seminoles season headed south, keeping things together in the locker room, showing great leadership during trying times, imploring guys to keep fighting. To use a cliche – he’s the kind of guy you want in a foxhole with him.
For Glenn, Moore could turn into Joseph 2.0. Now Joseph is two inches taller than more (6-1 to 5-11), but Moore, like Joseph, is a ball-hawk who has good range and makes a lot of plays on the ball. Moore was a four-star recruit and Joseph a three-star prospect.
And like Thomas, Moore has great football and personal character – he was a two-time captain for the Crimson Tide.
Moore, like Thomas, slipped in the draft likely due to his forty time – 4.57.
But one thing that has to be pointed out about safeties is how important instincts are at the position, and how it has to be factored into the speed conversation.
You could run 4.4. but if you are instincts are suspect, and you take missteps, you can end up playing like you run 4.8.
Buffalo had that dynamic duo at safety for many years – Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer – neither was a burner, but both had top-shelf instincts.
So while Moore isn’t a burner, his instincts help him make up for it – often putting him in the right place at the right time.
Not putting Thomas or Moore in Canton, but considering Glenn’s acumen for spotting mid-round defensive back talent, there is a very good chance both these players turn into mid-round steals.
April 28, 2025
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