Depth in the secondary was already a concern for the New York Giants. Then in the past couple days, the Giants lost Sam Beal for the season and players like Donte Deayon, Curtis Riley, and Teddy Williams have missed time for varying reasons. William Gay also left practice early on Friday with a leg injury.
That led to a massive workout of defensive backs after practice on Friday, which included former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Alterraun Verner and former Panther Zack Sanchez. Out of the workout, the Giants signed Leonard Johnson, who has spent time with four times over his six-year career. He was in Carolina with Dave Gettleman during the 2016 season. During that season, he appeared in 10 games, playing on 40.8 percent of the defensive snaps and 3.5 percent of the special teams snaps.
Johnson spent last season with the Buffalo Bills, where he appeared in 15 games and started seven. He played 60.7 percent of Buffalo’s defensive snaps and another 19.9 percent of the special teams snaps.
To make room for Johnson, the Giants waived cornerback Kenneth Durden. The Giants had waived Durden when they selected Sam Beal in the Supplemental Draft, then brought him back when Durden went on IR. Now, he’s out of a job again.
The Giants currently have Janoris Jenkins and Eli Apple working with the first-team defense at cornerback. Behind them are William Gay, B.W. Webb, Donte Deayon among a crowded group of hopefuls. They don't have a clear-cut nickel corner and Gay and Deayon are dealing with minor leg injuries.
Johnson gives the Giants another proven option. He has started 27 games in his six professional seasons, and should immediately slot in as the team's third cornerback behind Jenkins and Apple.
