Giants waive Javon Leake, add two defensive backs
The New York Giants, in search of low budget solutions to abut their decimated secondary, added two free agents to their convoluted mix of rookies and unproven young veterans.
The two players the Giants signed are KeiVarae Russell and Brandon Williams. Russell, 26, was a third-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016 out of Notre Dame. He could not master the Chiefs’ defensive scheme and was cut two weeks into the season. Russell then landed in Cincinnati for team seasons and then spent last season on the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad.
Williams, 27, was also a 2016 third-round selection. He was taken by the Arizona Cardinals and he also had a slow start to his career. He was waived/injured last August and has failed to catch on with an NFL team until now.
In order to make room on the roster, the Giants waived two rookie free agents – defensive back Christian Angulo and running back Javon Leake.
The release of Leake comes as a surprise since he has been praised by the coaches and his name has been bandied about for one of the return positions.
Just talked w/Maryland coach Michael Locksley, who describes #NYG Javon Leake as "one cut guy," who can put foot in ground & go on returns. Won't be surprised if Leake "is sleeper" about whom we later wonder, "Why did he go undrafted?" More this week, Mon & Thurs, @nflnetwork.
— Kim Jones (@KimJonesSports) August 29, 2020
Leake, should he clear waivers, could end up back with the Giants on the practice squad or maybe even on the 53-man roster. It’s just they are desperate to get some bodies in the secondary after the loss of rookie safety Xavier McKinney (foot) this week.
