SATURDAY, 9:35am: ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan tweets that Hall’s contract is actually worth $1.5MM, with up to $500K available in per-game bonuses. Furthermore, the veteran is only guaranteed $115K, allowing the Giants to easily get out of the contract.
THURSDAY, 8:43am: One of the biggest names left on the board in August has found an NFL home. Cornerback Leon Hall has signed with the Giants, the team confirmed via press release. Hall’s one-year deal can be worth up to $2MM, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
In New York, Hall will join a cornerback depth chart headlined by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and major free agent acquisition Janoris Jenkins. Hall will primarily offer support in the slot, allowing first-round pick Eli Apple to concentrate on playing boundary corner. Though, he’ll also be moved around a bit. The Giants believe Hall can play nickel, corner, and even safety in some packages and help offset the team’s inexperience in the secondary, Ed Werder of ESPN.com tweets.
Until today, Hall spent the entirety of his career with the Bengals, starting 105 games for the club since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2007. Even entering his age-31 season, Hall is still a capable contributor, though he’s mostly limited to the slot these days. Injuries have been a concern over the past few seasons, as Hall has suffered two torn Achilles since 2011, and underwent back surgery over the offseason.
Those health issues could be the reason Hall didn’t land a job until today, despite taking numerous visits with interested clubs. Hall met with or was linked to the Cardinals, Bengals, Falcons, Cowboys, and Dolphins at various points in the offseason. A reunion with the Bengals felt especially likely this week after first-round pick William Jackson III suffered a torn pectoral muscle, but that didn’t take place for one reason or another.
Before adding Hall, Trevin Wade was projected to serve as the Giants’ top slot corner. It now remains to be seen how he’ll fit in to the team’s plans going forward.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Great move by the Giants….. We are in a passing league……. He can also play safety……. That’s a plus…..