It looks like cornerback Ross Cockrell won’t be a member of the New York Giants after all. Newsday’s Tom Rock reported Tuesday night that the two sides “Unable to reach agreement. “
The Giants need corner help with DeAndre Baker on the commissioner’s exemption list and Sam Beal having opted out of the 2020 season.
Cockrell, a 2014 Buffalo Bills fourth-round pick, was a giant in 2017 and has spent the last two years with the Carolina Panthers. Had he signed, Cockrell probably would have ended up starting against James Bradberry for the Giants.
So the Giants are back to the drawing board in their search for a veteran cornerback. Trumaine Johnson, Logan Ryan and Dr. Kirkpatrick are among the players available.
As for the Giants’ current roster, Corey Ballentine could be the likely leader of a young group of cornerbacks who could compete for that spot. The Giants drafted Darnay Holmes in the fourth round and Chris Williamson in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft. They also have former XFL-er Dravon Askew-Henry and undrafted free agent Christian Angulo as options.
The Giants could also consider returning 2019 fourth-round pick Julian Love to cornerback after his transition to safety as a rookie.
Either way, this just serves as a reminder that a deal isn’t a deal until it’s signed and the team makes it official.
