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NFL Free Agency: Eagles sign ex-Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins to 3-year deal

The Eagles have signed New Orleans Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins to a three-year, $16.25M deal.

The Eagles signed former Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins to a three-year, $16.5 million contract with $8.5 million guaranteed, according to an NFL source.

The Eagles officially announced the addition shortly after the news broke.

MORE: JENKINS IS EAGLES BEST BET AT SAFETY

The 6-foot, 205-pound Jenkins is considered a versatile safety that can play both strong and free and even in the slot. He was drafted in the first round of the 2009 draft as a cornerback, but New Orleans moved him to safety before his second season.

Jenkins has 57 career starts at safety. He has six career inteceptions, six forced fumbles and 4-1/2 sacks. Some scouts around the league still view him as an ascending player that hasn't tapped into his full potential. Jenkins just turned 26 in December.

He has "good zone awareness to anticipate routes with good range to get over the top in coverage," an NFC senior scout said. "He's tight in the hips which is why he was moved to safety. Limits his transition in man coverage. But he's a tough tackler that looks to unload on ball carriers."

Jenkins has the reputation for being a solid teammate, a strong influence in the locker room and was a defensive captain the last two seasons. He became one of several safeties to be signed on the first day of free agency, joining Donte Whitner (Browns), Antoine Bethea (49ers) and T.J. Ward (Broncos), among others.

The Eagles now have three safeties on their roster -- Jenkins, Earl Wolff and Keelan Johnson -- after releasing Patrick Chung today. They could be sniffing around for another safety. Former Eagles safety Nate Allen became a free agent today, as well.

Bills safety Jairus Byrd, considered perhaps the best safety on the market, remains unsigned, as does Panthers safety Mike Mitchell. The Eagles have expressed some level of interest in Mitchell, per a source close to the situation.