Saints Sign DT Nick Fairley To 1 Year Deal

Free agent defensive tackle Nick Fairley has agreed to a 1 year deal with the New Orleans Saints, the team announced today. It's a $3 million deal, but could reach potentially $5 million with incentives.

Fairley drew interests from the Patriots and the Texans, but ultimately decided to ink a deal with New Orleans.

The 6'4, 308 lb defensive lineman fills a position of need for the Saints. A first round pick by the Detroit Lions out of Auburn in 2011, Fairley has never lived up to his first round status.

His career totals include 161 tackles, 14 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries and 4 passes defensed. Fairley's first 4 NFL seasons were in Detroit, before spending last year with the St. Louis Rams.

He joins former Rams teammate James Laurinaitis as a new addition to the 2016 Saints defense.

A one year deal should serve the Saints well. Fairley will likely be motivated to produce.

He will best serve New Orleans by helping plug up the middle of the defensive line and slow down the opponents' run game.