Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Jets free-agent market watch: Safety Dawan Landry

With free agency set to begin March 10, we'll examine the New York Jets' top free agents over the next few days:

Player: Dawan Landry

Position: Strong safety

Age: 32

Previous contract: He made $3 million over the last two seasons.

2014 stats: Started every game and played 92 percent of the defensive snaps. Recorded 106 total tackles (67 solo), plus 1.5 sacks and one pass break-up.

The case to keep him: He's the most experienced member of the secondary, and his professionalism would certainly help a position group in transition.

The case to let him go: For all his admirable intangibles -- intelligence, toughness and selflessness -- Landry simply doesn't make many big plays. He wasn't involved in a single takeaway last season, part of the low-turnover epidemic that plagued the entire defense. He managed only one interception over the last two seasons, covering nearly 2,000 defensive plays. The analytics people like Landry. In fact, he graded out as the ninth-best safety in the league last season, according to Pro Football Focus. Sorry, but that's a tough sell. Schematically, he's not a great fit anymore with the Jets, whose roster is filled with strong safeties and not one true free safety. If they want to give Calvin Pryor a chance to flourish as a box safety, his natural position, the Jets should say goodbye to Landry and let the kid sink or swim on his own.

Crystal ball: Todd Bowles wants to get younger and faster on defense, so look for Landry to move on. The most logical landing spot is the Buffalo Bills, coached by ... well, you know. They might have an opening if they lose Da'Norris Searcy in free agency, and it's no secret that Rex Ryan has an affinity for Landry. The going rate for a safety of Landry's ilk is about $1.5 million per year. In fact, Roman Harper, 32, signed a two-year, $3 million deal last March with the Carolina Panthers. Ryan may want to bring in players that know his system, providing a foundation as he installs his scheme. Landry is ideal for that role.

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