The Detroit Lions have added veteran depth to their secondary before Tuesday's 4 p.m. trade deadline by agreeing to terms with the New York Jets to acquire safety Andre Cisco via trade for a 2028 sixth-round draft pick.
Cisco has played in nine games this season for the Jets with four starts, recording 23 tackles with two tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and a pass defended. That one sack this season came Week 3 against the Lions in Detroit's 31-24 win over New York at Ford Field. Cisco added six tackles and a tackle for loss in that game on Sept. 27.
He's played the majority of his snaps this season at free safety (151) but has also played in the box (29) and a little in the slot (6). He's also a four-core special teamer with 130 reps combined on all four teams units.
View photos of S Andre Cisco, who Detroit acquired via a trade with the New York Jets.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Dennis Houston (89) is tackled by New York Jets safety Andre Cisco (8) after catching a pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Jets defensive back Andre Cisco (8) defends during an NFL preseason football game in Pittsburgh, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) passes the ball under pressure from New York Jets safety Andre Cisco (8) during an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets safety Andre Cisco (8) defends near the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
New York Jets safety Andre Cisco (8) reacts to the kick during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
New York Jets safety Andre Cisco (8) gets ready for the play during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. The Packers won 20-17 in overtime. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis)
Green Bay Packers running back Kaleb Johnson (26) fumbles the ball after being hit by New York Jets safety Andre Cisco (8) during an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets safety Andre Cisco (8) defends during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets safety Andre Cisco (8) pursues a play on defense against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
New York Jets safety Andre Cisco (8) takes the field with teammates before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
A third-round pick in the 2021 draft, Cisco played his first four seasons with the Jaguars. Lions passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Deshea Towsend held the same role in Jacksonville in 2022 and 2023. Townsend should have a good grasp on Cisco's skillset and how he might fit into Detroit's secondary. He'll also be familiar with Detroit's scheme playing the last year and a half in New York under Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, who was Detroit's defensive coordinator from 2021-24.
Cisco joins a safety room in Detroit that looks to have good depth now. Brian Branch recently rejoined the starting lineup, All-Pro Kerby Joseph appears to be trending in the right direction and Chuck Clark has been a steady veteran presence starting all eight games for the Lions this season. Rookie Keith Abney II has also shown some good things.
"It gives us flexibility," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Monday of the trade. "Cisco can play safety and play nickel. He can play other things on third down in our dime package. So can Branch. We get (Joseph) back eventually here and he gives you flexibility to play where you need him.
"It gives us flexibility is what it does. And it gives us depth, too. It's good to have here because now we're on the home stretch."
Teams have completed just 50 percent of the passes thrown into Cisco's coverage area this season with a 63.5 passer rating. He's got terrific ball skills and is a plus run defender with an 81.1 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus this season.
In 80 career games with 59 starts, he's tallied eight interceptions, 26 passes defensed, 2.5 sacks, and six tackles for loss.
