The Cleveland Browns released Joe Haden, their 2010 first round pick, who was set to make $11.1 million this season.
After last making the Pro Bowl in 2014, Joe Haden has struggled with injuries the past two seasons. His status forced the Browns to initially entertain trading the cornerback, before releasing him Wednesday morning.
Is Haden an option for the New York Giants?
According to ESPN, Haden is not subject to waivers and is free to sign with any team after 4:00 pm on Wednesday. The network’s Adam Schefter is also reporting that two teams, the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs, have shown strong interest.
1/2 Former Browns CB Joe Haden is not subject to waivers and is free to sign with another team after 4 pm today. And he will.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2017
The New York Giants, who just recently claimed corners Tay Glover-Wright and rookie Daniel Gray after both Eli Apple and Micheal Hunter got injured. The team could use a proven cornerback to solidify the myriad of unproven players behind Apple, Janoris Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
New York Giants
Getting What You Pay For
While Joe Haden would certainly demand a higher salary, his superior play makes a one or two year deal appealing to a team ready to win now. Last year, the Giants were exposed in their Wild Card loss in the playoffs. A combination of Leon Hall, Trevin Wade and Coty Sensabaugh showed to be just as skilled as their names suggest against the Packers last January. All three did not return to the Giants and are in much the same position now as they were last year. Each is struggling to hang on end to end-of-the roster spots.
This year, the New York Giants appear to operating on the same cycle. Rinse, lather, repeat with unproven players, hoping that a career journeyman or rookie long-shot turns into a legitimate NFL cornerback. This strategy will not work, and any team with a special quarterback and more than three competent wide receivers, can easily expose the Giants.
Joe Haden may not be the great player he once was, but he never was a true shut down corner. He does possess greater skill than any cornerback the Giants have brought in. Much like the New England Patriots did a few years ago with Darrelle Revis, perhaps bringing in a proven, former Pro-Bowl cornerback is the last piece to a championship team.