According to a report by Ralph Vacchiano, the Giants brought in former Panthers cornerback Ross Cockrell for a visit on Saturday and intend to sign him once he’s cleared the COVID-19 protocols and a physical.
Cockrell was the one free agent cornerback that made the most sense for the Panthers to sign. He started 11 games for Carolina last season and had a career-best year in coverage, allowing only a 68.6 passer rating and a 55.2% completion percentage. Adding him to the cornerback room would have given the team what it needs most on defense: outside depth. Instead, former Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman adds Cockrell to a Giants group that also has James Bradberry.
This is the third corner Carolina has missed out on in recent weeks.
First, the division-rival Falcons picked up Darqueze Dennard, taking the most talented name off the board outside of Logan Ryan. Then, the Panthers and the Giants both put in a claim for Ryan Lewis, who was awarded to Washington.
Signing Eli Apple for the price they did was a good low-risk, potential high-reward kind of move. General manager Marty Hurney knows that he needs to add another corner before the season begins, though and he may regret not bringing Cockrell back.
A lack of proven options at this position is one of the reasons why this could be the worst defense in the league this year.
