The Jets went into this offseason with a clear message for their safety room: enough with the empty takeaway column. After a year in which Aaron Glenn’s team failed to record a single interception, New York moved aggressively, trading for Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Miami Dolphins and then adding former Giants safety Dane Belton on a one-year deal.
Now Belton is in the middle of a real battle for a starting job next to Fitzpatrick, and one Giants expert thinks he has the edge over Malachi Moore. FanSided’s Lior Lampert, part of the brain trust at GMENHQ, pointed to Belton’s all-around game as the reason he could climb past the rookie.
" Belton is a sure tackler with a nose for the football," Lampert said. " Whether it was aligning at safety or in the box, manning the slot or even kicking out to corner or on the line of scrimmage, Belton was asked to do it all.
Belton proved capable of handling a larger workload when the Giants put more on his plate last season. He's a Swiss Army knife who's showed there could be untapped potential in an expanded role."
That versatility is exactly what puts Belton in the mix with Moore, who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft because he can also move around the defensive backfield. The difference, at least on paper, is that Belton brings more experience, while Moore brings more upside.
Belton’s value may not stop at defense, either. He also came into the league with a reputation as a strong special teams player, and he should factor into Chris Banjo’s highly regarded unit. If he wins the job and plays well, he could even position himself for a bigger contract down the line.
Belton isn’t the only veteran on a one-year deal trying to hold off a 2025 draft pick. Former Chicago Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright is also trying to show Glenn and new defensive coordinator Brian Duker that his ability to create turnovers is better than what Azareye'h Thomas offers.
The Giants got solid production out of Belton, even if he never quite thrived in what was described as an outdated defensive scheme. A fresh start in green might be exactly what he needs to get more out of his game.
In Other News...
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Geno Smiths offseason has already turned into an uncomfortable subplot for a player who was supposed to be a familiar name in a new chapter, and now it is drawing attention again just as camp approaches. The latest issue came on a July 6 traffic stop in Florida, where he was cited for speeding and for failing to produce his drivers license, adding another layer to a summer that has not stayed quiet for long.
The bigger concern is the off-field scrutiny hanging over him, with police still looking into battery allegations tied to a June incident at his residence. The NFL and the Jets have acknowledged the situation but have not said much beyond that, and Smith has not been charged with a crime, but the fact that his name keeps surfacing in police matters is the kind of distraction no team wants following a player into training camp. [Read more 🡒]
Why Mykal Walker Matters More To The Jets Than Fans Realize
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Walkers value is the kind that tends to show up only after a season has played out. Over the final five games, he was steady enough to matter on defense and dependable enough to stay on the field in kicking situations, and that combination is what gives him a legitimate path into 2026. He is expected to push for a backup linebacker job while remaining part of the special-teams mix, which is exactly the sort of behind-the-scenes contribution that can quietly shape a roster. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Linked To A Cornerback Fans Will Have Strong Feelings About
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The appeal is easy to see from a football standpoint, even with the questions that come with any player trying to reestablish himself after a disrupted stretch. Arnold was limited to eight games last season because of a shoulder injury that required surgery, so any team considering him is weighing both his talent and how quickly he can get back to form. His agent believes a signing could come within the next 45 days, which keeps this one on the Jets radar for the moment. [Read more 🡒]