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Leon Hall is looking to latch onto an NFL roster, and the Falcons are the latest team to give him a shot. After leaving his visit with the Giants without an offer, Hall is in Atlanta, looking to join the Falcons.
Atlanta could be a great landing spot for Hall, as the team's cornerback group has underperformed and could be looking for a veteran to mentor guys like Desmond Trufant, Robert Alford and Jalen Collins, as well as make an impact on the field.
The market for experienced veterans is picking up again. CB Leon Hall left the #Giants and is visiting the #Falcons. https://t.co/icgscQ82C1
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) May 4, 2016
The former 18th-overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft out of Michigan, Hall quietly became a staple in the Bengals' defensive backfield and emerged as one of the best corners in team history. Over his first four seasons from 2007-10, Hall intercepted 18 passes and tallied 71 pass deflections, as he and former Bengal Jonathan Joseph became the NFL's best cornerback duo.
Unfortunately, since the veteran signed a four-year, $39 million extension in 2011, Hall has suffered two torn Achilles tendons and intercepted just eight passes over the past five seasons. He appeared to be making progress in 2012 and 2013, potentially returning to Pro Bowl form, but his second Achilles tear prematurely ended his season for the second time in three years.
Since recovering from injury, Hall has certainly had his moments, but he has far too often given up big plays, especially considering his $9 million price tag in 2015. By no means was Hall a weak link on the Bengals defense, but he's no longer the dominant defender he once was. Hall is still a middle-tier slot corner, and he's talented enough to latch on somewhere. Hopefully Atlanta can be the place; the Falcons are certainly in need of a guy like Hall.
Hall finished as Pro Football Focus' 33rd-best corner in 2015, but he may be better suited in a move to safety. If he were to play for Atlanta, however, he could still have a shot at lining up as the team's slot corner, especially considering the Falcons' selection of former Florida safety Keanu Neal in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.