NFL Free Agent Signings: New York Jets Acquire Safety LaRon Landry

After Monday, the New York Jets may be able to cross off safety as a major area of need.

According to Michael Lombardi of the NFL Network and Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Jets agreed to a one-year deal with free-agent safety LaRon Landry worth $4 million.  

The Jets beat the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles for Landry's services. The 27-year-old was in New York last night, and the Jets were intent on making sure Landry didn't leave the Big Apple without a contract after striking out on safeties Reggie Nelson and Brandon Meriweather last week. 

The Jets' changing of the guard at safety may now be complete.

With Landry on board to be the hard-hitting, in-the-box safety and Antonio Cromartie figured to be making a move to free safety, the Jets could have two new starters at the back end in 2012.

Incumbent starter Jim Leonhard is a free agent; Brodney Pool signed in Dallas, and Eric Smith is best suited to be a backup.

Landry, a former No. 6 overall pick of the Washington Redskins in 2007, has suffered through injuries in recent years after looking like one of the top young safeties in the NFL early on in his career. Over the last two seasons, Landry has missed 15 games—including a long stretch last season after he ignored team doctor's advice to undergo surgery on his Achilles' tendon.

The injury has lingered for two seasons, and it's likely that teams were only willing to offer Landry a one-year deal to see how it has healed without surgery.

When healthy, however, Landry (6'2", 220 lbs) is a physical safety who can be a difference-maker against the run and pass. In his first three NFL seasons, Landry registered almost 250 tackles, three sacks, four forced fumbles and three interceptions.

For a one-year deal worth just $4 million, the Jets are getting a potential top 10 safety at a dirt cheap price.

They may still have to bring in another insurance policy—possibly through the draft—in case Landry's injury comes up again.

But it does not appear as if the Jets will need to spend a first-round pick on a safety. Rex Ryan and the Jets front office can look to add a pass-rusher with its first pick in April.