NFL Rumors: Leon Hall Leaving Cincinnati Bengals For New York Giants


NFL rumors have been swirling around Leon Hall. The former Michigan Wolverines star is still a free agent. He remains on the market because there are some concerns about his health. Hall had back surgery after the season ended to repair a damaged herniated disc. He also had suffered two Achilles injury since entering the National Football League in 2007. There will be several teams that will be interested in the veteran. According to NBC Sports, one team that is interested in signing Hall are the New York Giants.

Last season, Leon Hall played in the nickel role for the Cincinnati Bengals. The team had one of the best defenses in terms of total yards and scoring. The team was plus 11 in turnover ratio last year. They were one of the top teams in interceptions. The Bengals were in the top five in the NFL in pass deflections. They were also very dominant against the rush. Cincinnati were seventh in the league against the run.

Cincinnati Bengals corner back William Jackson III
William Jackson III [Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images]
This summer, the Cincinnati Bengals drafted William Jackson III with the 24th selection in the NFL Draft. They picked him in hopes of filling the nickel position this year. The position was filled by Leon Hall. Last season, the Bengals starting corner backs were Dre Kirkpatrick and Adam Jones. Kirkpatrick is playing on his last year of the rookie contract. Next season, he is set to become a free agent. If he does decide to go elsewhere, the team will have Jackson to possibly fill in that role.

Last season, the New York Giants were one of the worst teams on defense in the NFL. The team was last in total yards and passing yards per game in the entire league. The Giants are in need of an upgrade on the defensive end of the ball. A rookie safety was the leading tackler for the squad. Dominique Rogers-Cromartie and Trumaine McBride led the team with three interceptions a piece.

New York Giants corner back Janoris Jenkins
Janoris Jenkins [Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images]
The New York Giants have been spending a ton of money this summer on the defense. They signed Janoris Jenkins to a huge deal. He signed a five-year deal worth $62.5 million. They also brought in former Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon. He signed a five-year deal worth $85 million. Damon Harrison decided to jump across town and join the Giants. His deal was five years worth $46.25 million. New York also re-signed star defensive end Jason Pierre Paul to a one-year deal worth $8.5 million.

Signing Leon Hall would be a good upgrade for the nickel position. He spent most of the season as a primary slot cover man. Currently, the New York Giants have Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, Janoris Jenkins, Trevin Wade, Leon McFadden, and Trumaine McBride. New York then selected Eli Apple with the tenth pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. What makes Hall more interesting is that he is a veteran. He has spent most of his career as a starter. That would add experience to the Giants’ secondary.

New York Giants corner back Eli Apple
Eli Apple [Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images]
Last season, the New York Giants had one of the best offenses in the entire NFL. They were in the top 10 in points, total yards, and passing yards. Odell Beckham Jr. and Eli Manning led the way for the team. This summer, New York selected wide receiver Sterling Shepard and running back Paul Perkins in the NFL Draft. They are hoping the two young players can develop and help Beckham Jr. and Manning out on offense.

The New York Giants are in need of an upgrade at the nickel and depth at the corner back position. Leon Hall would fill into that role nicely. When healthy, he could be a great nickel and help out the Giants defense.

[Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images]

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