Jets trade idea lands 8x Pro Bowler to complete defensive overhaul

The New York Jets defense has received a complete facelift this offseason, landing reinforcements at just about every position. The defensive line has multiple new faces, Demario Davis is the new quarterback of the defense at linebacker, and Minkah Fitzpatrick hopes to provide some more stability in the secondary.

While Fitzpatrick is traditionally known as a safety, he mostly played nickel cornerback for the Miami Dolphins last season, and new defensive coordinator Brian Duker, who coached Miami's defensive backs in 2025, seems to be planning on using him in the same manner.

If that turns out to be the case, the Jets need some better safeties. They have 2025 fourth-round pick Malachi Moore, re-signed Andre Cisco, and brought in former New York Giant Dane Belton. There's certainly some talent there, but can any of them be counted on as 17-game starters?

Likely not, and the Jets may need to add one more this offseason before the position is considered ready for the 2026 season.

Jets trade idea lands All-Pro safety Budda Baker to complete defense

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker could be the star at safety the Jets need to put the finishing touch on their new-look defense.

Baker is coming off one of his worst seasons as a pro. The Washington product graded out as the 84th-best safety out of 98 qualified players, per Pro Football Focus, but you could chalk that up to Arizona's defense being poor as a whole in 2025. Jonathan Gannon ended up losing his job because of it.

Darren Mougey could make another savvy trade, flipping a Day 3 pick to the clearly rebuilding Cardinals to take Baker and his three-year, $54 million contract off their books.

Baker is one of the most decorated defensive backs in the NFL, racking up eight Pro Bowls and two All-Pros over his nine-year career. He's hauled in eight interceptions, forced six fumbles, and broken up 44 passes over 138 games.

With Baker manning the back end of the Jets defense, and Fitzpatrick playing closer to the line of scrimmage at nickel, it could form one of the most formidable duos in the NFL.

The former 36th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft wouldn't come cheap. He has two years remaining on his contract, but Spotrac says there's an out after the 2026 season. If Baker's defensive output is truly on the decline, the Jets could cut ties with him, incurring only a $3 million dead cap hit while saving nearly $18 million in space next offseason.

If the Jets are serious about turning their defense into one of the best units in the NFL, Baker could be the addition they need to put themselves over the top.