Jets acquire CB Sheppard from Eagles for two draft picks

The New York Jets shored up their shaky secondary Saturday, acquiring two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard from the Philadelphia Eagles for two draft picks.

**Lito Sheppard**, CB
New York Jets
Height: 5-10

Weight: 194

Age: 27

Experience: 7 seasons

The Eagles receive a 2009 fifth-round pick and a 2010 conditional draft pick from the Jets, reports NFL Network's Adam Schefter. The pick could be as high as a second-round choice in 2010 and as low as a fourth.

Schefter also reports that the Jets have signed Sheppard to a four-year contract extension worth $27.2 million. The contract will begin after this upcoming season and will include a $10 million signing bonus next March.

Sheppard, who spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Eagles, could immediately start in a Jets secondary that ranked 29th against the pass last year despite having Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis and playmaking safety Kerry Rhodes.

"We acquired a veteran corner with Pro Bowl ability," Jets coach Rex Ryan said. "This young man has already gone to two Pro Bowls. He is a great athlete with the top-end speed that we look for to play that position. We think he can match up with some of the best receivers in the game."

Sheppard, 27, is a former first-round pick out of Florida in 2004 and '06, but saw his role reduced last season as he started only three games with Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown in the starting lineup.

"I am excited to be joining the Jets organization," Sheppard said in a statement issued by the team. "It is a fresh new start, a new coach and a new system. I am looking forward to getting back to playing top-notch football and bringing a winning attitude with me."

When the Eagles acquired Samuel from New England last offseason, it appeared to pave the way for Sheppard to be traded. He also wanted a new contract, but Philadelphia didn't want to redo it -- and found no suitable trade offers.

After giving up three touchdowns against Arizona on Thanksgiving, Sheppard was dropped from No. 3 to No. 5 on the depth chart. He then played mostly on special teams the rest of the season.

Still, Sheppard has a knack for making big plays. He has returned three of his 18 career interceptions for touchdowns and was the first player in NFL history with two such returns of more than 100 yards.

The deal was completed Saturday after New York re-signed guard Brandon Moore earlier in the day and signed former Baltimore linebacker Bart Scott on Friday.

The Jets could add a few more former Ravens after meeting with cornerback Corey Ivy on Friday and safety Jim Leonhard on Saturday.

Information from the Associated Press was included in this report