New Orleans adds another hard-hitting defensive back in standout safety Byrd

The Oakland Raiders opened free agency on Tuesday by agreeing to a five-year, $42.5 million contract with offensive lineman Rodger Saffold and keeping oft-injured running back Darren McFadden on a one-year deal worth up to $4 million.

ESPN also reported Oakland agreed to a five-year, $30 million contract with former New York Jets offensive lineman Austin Howard with $15 million guaranteed.

Also, last year's leading rusher Rashad Jennings said on Twitter that he was flying to New York and was looking forward to signing a deal with the Giants.

SAINTS LAND BYRD

The New Orleans Saints have agreed to a six-year contract with safety Jairus Byrd, shoring up a depleted defensive backfield that lost a safety to free agency and recently released another one.

Byrd's contract was announced on Tuesday night at the end of the first day of NFL free agency. It gives the Saints another hard-hitting safety to pair with Kenny Vaccaro.

BRONCOS INK DB

The Denver Broncos took another step in the renovation of their secondary Tuesday by agreeing to a four-year deal with Pro Bowl safety T.J. Ward.

Ward will play in a backfield that will be without Champ Bailey, who was released last week, and could move on without Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who entered free agency without a new deal from the Broncos. Ward had 129 tackles and two interceptions for Cleveland last year.

N.Y. GIANTS SIGN 3

The Giants reached agreements with former Kansas City guard Geoff Schwartz and Oakland running back Rashad Jennings on Tuesday, the players announced in tweets. Seattle Seahawks linebacker O'Brien Schofield also agreed to a two-year, $8 million deal.

JETS RETAIN KICKER

The New York Jets have re-signed kicker Nick Folk to a four-year contract, less than two weeks after placing the franchise tag on him.

The team announced the multiyear deal Tuesday, shortly after the NFL's free agency period began. It did not release the terms.

JENKINS TO EAGLES

Former New Orleans Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins agreed on a three-year contract with the Eagles.