Jets draft pick is already justifying draft steal label at training camp

The New York Jets may have a strong secondary heading into the 2025 season, but that doesn't mean they can't accommodate one of their rookies if they show out in training camp. Safety Malachi Moore has gone about proving that he is not a player to be overlooked at Jets training camp.

While the Jets drafted a much-hyped cornerback in Azareye'h Thomas ahead of Moore, there's a very good chance that the Crimson Tide product ends up getting more snaps in his rookie season. Moore is doing everything he can to convince Aaron Glenn that he is worth taking a chance on.

Moore made his presence known with a big hit on wide receiver Xavier Gipson, all while continuing to flex the coverage skills that made him such a highly-regarded player in college. Even this early into camp, Glenn himself is all aboard the hype train.

Glenn said that Moore is "going to be a hell of a player in this league" after his first look at the fourth-round pick widely regarded to be a steal. If Moore can stay healthy, Glenn and Darren Mougey may have landed a starting-caliber player with one of their late Day 3 picks.

Aaron Glenn can't stop praising NY Jets rookie safety Malachi Moore

Moore is such a tremendous talent that he was starting on Nick Saban's defense as a true freshman in 2020. While injuries took a toll on him, he maintained a prominent role in Alabama's defense throughout his career. Moore's sliding to the fourth round was regarded as highly unusual.

Moore is not a big safety who clocks in at 5-11 and slightly under 200 pounds, and his 4.57 40-yard dash time likely scared some teams away. Glenn seemingly remained undeterred by those numbers, valuing the years of quality film Moore put up for a blue-blood program.

Moore might be listed as a safety, but his time playing the "star" position in Saban's defense led to him moving all around the defense and getting some slot reps. That versatility could be key for Moore as he tries to make an impact on what is already a fairly solid New York secondary.

It looks like Glenn, an undersized defensive back in his own right during his playing days, may have found a kindred spirit in Moore. With the Jets' safety room far from finalized at this point in time, Moore may be one or two more strong weeks away from forcing Glenn and Steve Wilks to make some tough playing time decisions.

More NY Jets news and analysis: