Malcolm Jenkins signed a three-year deal with the Eagles Tuesday that will pay him $8.5 million in guarantees.
The Eagles top priority heading into free agency opening Tuesday was adding a safety and within two hours of the market opening, they got their man.
General manager Howie Roseman struck quickly in adding safety Malcolm Jenkins from the New Orleans Saints and signing the 26-year old to a three-year deal worth $16.25 million with $8.5 million guaranteed.
Jenkins finished last season with 68 tackles and two interceptions with the Saints and schematically seems to be a fit for the zone schemes employed by defensive coordinator Billy Davis Jr.
With the rise of both second-year safety Kenny Vacarro and Rafael Bush, Jenkins became expendable in New Orleans.
The Ohio State product has played both free and strong safety during his six-year career and is physical enough to cover slot receivers in the middle of the field.
At 6'0 and 204 pounds, Jenkins isn't afraid to stick his nose in run support, but still missed 16 tackles last season per Pro Football Focus.
The Piscataway, N.J. native played safety and corner during his five years with the Saints after being the 14th overall pick in the 2009 draft.
Earlier in the day, the Eagles released Patrick Chung after just one-year with the team.
Jenkins will start immediately alongside second-year safety Earl Wolff, unless the team adds another safety or selects one in the draft.
Reached via text message, Wolff was excited about the signing.
"I definitely am looking forward to playing along side him," Wolff said. "I think it's a great signing and there's a lot I can learn from him."
The Eagles also reached out to Mike Mitchell over the weekend. Another target was TJ Ward who reportedly signed wit the Broncos on Tuesday and Jairus Byrd who is set to visit the Saints Wednesday.
The Eagles finished 2013 ranked dead last in passing defense and adding a safety of Jenkins' caliber could be the first step towards shoring up what will likely be a revamped secondary in 2014.
