The Detroit Lions have made a trade with the New York Jets to add depth to a secondary that is starting to get better.
The Detroit Lions, through the first four weeks of the season, had one of, if not the worst, pass defenses in the NFL. The secondary was playing atrociously through those first four weeks, as the cornerbacks were not getting it done and the safeties were running thin. Since the Arizona Cardinals game in Week Five and the return of Brian Branch in Week Seven, the unit has been much better and helped win games when the offense has not put up the point production it usually does. Despite Kerby Joseph’s inevitable return, with the recent hip injury to D.J. Reed, the Lions still needed to make some moves in the secondary to add to the depth of the unit. On Monday, November 9, a day before the trade deadline, the Lions made a move to improve the unit.
Detroit traded a 2028 sixth-round pick to the New York Jets on Monday afternoon to acquire safety Andre Cisco. Cisco is a 26-year-old safety on an expiring contract that the Jets clearly were not willing to extend long-term. He is playing in his sixth season in the league after playing his first four with the Jaguars and then the last one and a half with the Jets before getting traded to Detroit.
Cisco so far this season has recorded 17 solo tackles, one forced fumble, one pass defended, one sack, and zero interceptions. He had a career year in 2023 when he had 62 total tackles, half a sack, a forced fumble, and four interceptions. Cisco has already played nine games with the Jets, who have not had their bye week, and will now be joining the Lions, who have already had the bye. It is likely, if he is healthy all year, that he plays 18 games.
This move was made to add depth to the Lions' secondary and improve the unit to make a push for the NFC North title. There is a slight chance as well that Joseph’s return could be delayed a few more weeks, and that is why the Lions felt compelled to add a safety instead of a cornerback. Brad Holmes still has until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 10, to make any more moves to push this team from a playoff contender to a championship contender.
Cisco is a solid start as a good depth piece and potential starter if players go down with an injury. He has the experience and the play style that meshes well with Dan Campbell and Kelvin Sheppard.
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