New York Giants To Host Free Agent Cornerback Jerraud Powers

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Arizona Cardinals free agent cornerback Jerraud Powers will visit the New York Giants on Thursday. Powers will reportedly take other meetings after the Giants, but Jerry Reese and company will be the first to speak to the veteran CB.

Powers spent the last three seasons in Arizona and the previous four with the Indianapolis Colts. Powers had 167 tackles, five interceptions, his first two career sacks and two forced fumbles with the Cardinals.

Powers played opposite one of the league’s best corners in Patrick Peterson. That’s a daunting task for a CB, but he believes it only enhances his value in free agency. “I’ve had a good resume the last three years playing opposite of Pat, which I don’t think people understand how tough that can be.”

What is unattractive for the injury-plagued Giants is his ability to stay on the field. He went unscathed his first two seasons with the Cardinals, but Powers played missed some time last year due to a calf injury. During his tenure in Indianapolis, he finished the 2010, 2011 and 2012 seasons on injured reserve.

The Giants signed Janoris Jenkins on the first day of free agency to a five-year, $62.5 million deal and he is the odds on favorite to start alongside Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. If the Giants were to move forward with Powers, he would start in the slot and would be a much-needed upgrade.

The Giants do have Bennett Jackson returning from injury to compete with Trevin Wade at slot corner, but Jackson is an unproven entity. Cornerback is certainly a position Reese would consider in the NFL draft, possibly in the first round. Signing Powers would free the Giants up to draft a linebacker at tenth overall, possibly Myles Jack or Darron Lee.