Walter Thurmond Signing: New York Giants sign cornerback

The New York Giants today bolstered their cornerback position with the signing of former Seattle Seahawks' cornerback Walter Thurmond.

CB Walter Thurmond's 1-year deal with the Giants is worth $3.5M.

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 16, 2014

The signing of Thurmond, 27 next season, is something we have been advocating for a while as the Giants have been looking to upgrade the cornerback spot opposite Prince Amukamara. This is what I wrote Saturday:

Thurmond is a four-year veteran of the Seattle Seahawks who will be 27 next season. He seems to fit the 'under 30 with upside' profile GM Jerry Reese appears to be seeking this offseason. Thurmond had a +4.8 Pro Football focus grade and a 67.5 passer rating against in 480 snaps last season. The Giants have not been connected to the 5-foot-11, 186-pound Thurmond at all during the free agency process, and I'm surprised by that.

The signing might be a reminder that while we find out a great deal of what teams are doing, or trying to do in free agency, we don't always hear everything. Here is some quick analysis from Pete Damilitis of Pro Football Focus:

With a 1-year deal, Thurmond wants to cash in on free agency next yr. Giants possibly using him as bridge to early round CB pick

— Pete Damilatis (@PFF_Pete) March 16, 2014

Jordan Ranaan of NJ.com also points out that the Giants may also look at Thurmond as a punt returner. He has returned only one punt in four seasons with Seattle, but per Ranaan averaged 15 yards per punt return with five touchdowns while at Oregon.

The Giants signed safety/kick returner Quintin Demps Saturday night, and have a visit scheduled today with cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. No word yet on what the Thurmond signing does to the Rodgers-Cromartie visit. Adam Schefter is reporting that the Giants will still meet with DRC. One thing this may do is mean Terrell Thomas won't be back with the Giants. That isn't definite, but would seem likely.

The Giants kicked the tires on several free agents before signing Thurmond to what appears to be a pretty reasonable one-year contract.