/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30128589/465621389.0.jpg)
Maybe the New York Giants can make a big splash before the first weekend of 2014 NFL Free Agency comes to a close. The best cornerback left on the market -- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie -- is reportedly coming to visit the Giants on Sunday.
After meeting with Jets today, Broncos fee-agent CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will be visiting with Giants on Sunday.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2014
The Giants have been looking for an upgrade at corner opposite Prince Amukamara throughout free agency. They checked the price tag on Alterraun Verner, who signed a four-year, $25.4 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They checked with the Bucs on what it would take to acquire Darrelle Revis before Revis was cut loose and signed with the New England Patriots. They hosted veteran Tracy Porter, who chose the Washington Redskins.
Rodgers-Cromartie, 28 next season, won't come cheap. He turned down a six-year, $54 million offer to stay with the Denver Broncos before becoming a free agent. Rodgers-Cromartie met with the New York Jets on Saturday.
DRC, as he is known, is a six-year veteran who has played with the Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals. He was Pro Football focus's fifth-ranked cornerback in 2013 with a +13.0 and a 67.8 passer rating against. He allowed only 30 completions in 68 targets (44.1 percent).
The NFLPA web site shows the Giants with $12.805 million in salary cap space, but that could be missing recently-signed contracts like those of Jon Beason, Jameel McClain and Henry Hynoski -- meaning the cap space is likely far less.
Pro Football Focus, in a post written prior to the release of Revis, ranked Rodgers-Cromartie behind only Brent Grimes and Aqib Talib among cornerbacks on the free-agent market. PFF said:
Rodgers-Cromartie is also another tough free agent to gauge interest in. He severely outplayed his one year deal with the Broncos and ranked as our fifth-highest graded cornerback in 2013. His 44.1% catch rate allowed ranked second in the league. He also ranked third in our signature stat, coverage snaps per reception, with a 15.7 mark, as he only trailed Richard Sherman and Darrelle Revis. His talent and potential is unquestioned. Teams will, however, be looking to gauge his commitment. He seemed disengaged on the field at times and even stated that he was contemplating retirement after the season.
Your thoughts, Giants' fans?