Leon Hall to Giants: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

After spending nearly a decade with the Cincinnati Bengals, Leon Hall will suit up for another team in 2016. The veteran cornerback reportedly agreed to terms with the New York Giants on Thursday. 

Mike Garafolo of NFL Network confirmed the agreement after colleague Rand Getlin reported Hall was expected to sign with New York. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the agreement is for one-year and "can be worth up to" $2 million. Hall picked the Giants over the Bengals, per Rapoport.

The Bengals selected Hall 18th overall in the 2007 draft, and he went on to become one of the best pass defenders in franchise history. His 26 career interceptions are the fourth-highest total of any Bengals player.

Some fans in Cincinnati might still look back at Hall's time with the team and feel a level of disappointment. He never became the perennial Pro Bowl-caliber defender he seemed poised to be after his first few years in the league. Multiple Achilles injuries also hindered what he was capable of doing on the field.

Hall spent most of 2015 as a nickelback in the Bengals secondary, with Adam Jones and Dre Kirkpatrick occupying the starting roles. He remained a productive corner. Pro Football Focus gave him a 78.4 overall grade, which tied for 33rd with the Detroit Lions' Quandre Diggs.

Football Outsiders' Cian Fahey noted one instance last year in which Hall's absence in the Cincinnati defense was telling:

"

Leon Hall leaves. Slot receiver scores. Possibly a coincidence.

— Cian Fahey (@Cianaf) December 29, 2015"

PFF also ranked him No. 37 overall among this year's free agents: "Hall isn't quite the player he used to be, but he's still one of the better options for slot cornerbacks in the league. He has earned positive overall grades and coverage grades in each of his nine NFL seasons."

Especially at this stage of free agency, few, if any, of the available options can match Hall's body of work, and at 31 years old, he has two or three more years left in the tank. He also showed last season he can have a positive impact in a slightly lesser role.

The Giants seemingly made their major moves to improve the pass defense when they selected Ohio State corner Eli Apple with the 10th overall pick in the draft and signed Janoris Jenkins to a five-year, $62.5 million contract.

But NFL teams can never have too much depth at cornerback, and the presence of Jenkins and Apple will allow New York to insert Hall primarily at the slot.

His speed and agility aren't what they once were as a result of his various injuries, but those health issues have done nothing to lessen his intelligence or instincts on the field.

The Giants finished the 2015 season last in passing yards allowed (298.9 per game) and tied for 25th in passing touchdowns allowed (31). Football Outsiders ranked New York 28th in pass defense DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average).

General manager Jerry Reese already rectified the issue with the additions of Jenkins and Apple, and signing Hall will further solidify the secondary.