The Jets are keeping one of their safety positions in the family.
Gang Green replaced Pro Bowl safety LaRon Landry with his older brother Tuesday, signing veteran free agent Dawan Landry to address a major hole in their retooled defense.
Dawan Landry, 30, who played under Rex Ryan and new Jets defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman while with the Ravens, had spent the past two seasons with the Jaguars before being cut before free agency.
LaRon Landry congratulated his brother on Twitter shortly after the Jets announced the signing.
“My big bro just sent me a text sayin ‘Jet life to da next life’… congrats big bro,” LaRon Landry wrote.
The Jets have a glaring need at safety after LaRon Landry signed with the Colts in free agency and Eric Smith was released. That left just the unproven Josh Bush and Antonio Allen and veteran castoffs Jaiquawn Jarrett and Bret Lockett until Dawan Landry was added yesterday.
Primarily a strong safety, Dawan Landry started all 16 games each of the past four seasons (two with Jacksonville and two with Baltimore) and has 12 interceptions, 5 1/2 sacks and three forced fumbles in 98 career games.
Landry’s best season came in 2006 as a rookie fifth-round pick out of Georgia Tech, when he had five interceptions and three sacks for the Ravens. He had one interception with the Jaguars last year.
* The Jets are expected to bring in Tennessee wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson for a predraft visit this week, according to a league source.
The 6-foot-2, 216-pound Patterson is a certain first-round choice, and his visit indicates the Jets are considering taking a receiver ninth overall or potentially with a second pick in the first round if they decide to trade disgruntled cornerback Darrelle Revis.
* The Jets announced a draft-night party exclusively for season-ticket holders April 25 at MetLife Stadium, with several players available for autographs and the chance to tour the team’s home locker room.
All fans, meanwhile, are invited to a “Jets Family Fun Day” from noon to 4 p.m., April 27 at the team’s Florham Park practice facility in conjunction with the third and final day of the draft.