Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Giants sign 5-year deal

The New York Giants won the battle for cornerbackDominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

* Free-Agent Tracker*

Follow all the developments on the NFL's open market with our up-to-the-minute tracking of 2014's free agents. **More...**

DRC signed a five-year, $39 million contract to man the outside for Big Blue, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday, according to a source who spoke to the player. The contract includes $14 million guaranteed, a $10 million signing bonus and $16 million over the first two years.

ESPN first reported the news, and the team later officially announced the signing.

The signing gives the Giants a true No. 1 cornerback and by far the best available defensive back left on the market.

The 28-year-old Rodgers-Cromartie was the Denver Broncos' top corner last season, but was left to the free-agent market after John Elway signedAqib Talib to a big contract.

The Giants were far more aggressive in recruiting DRC, per Rapoport. The Jets were slower to rally around signing him, though they made a last-ditch offer. By that point, he'd already decided to take what the Giants offered.

The Rodgers-Cromartie signing comes a day after the Giants signed former Seattle Seahawks nickelback Walter Thurmond.

The two provide the Giants with a big upgrade in the secondary, an important target for general manager Jerry Reese. The Giants re-signed Trumaine McBride and Stevie Brown, while adding depth in free agency with Quintin Demps to go along with DRC and Thurmond.

DRC signing with the Giants also stung their stadium-mates, as the New York Jets were also hot after Rodgers-Cromartie. Rex Ryan's team was shut out for top-level cornerbacks. Our highest-remaining cornerback on the market is Antonio Cromartie (DRC's cousin), who was cut by the Jets earlier this offseason.

The "Around The League Podcast" breaks down all the free agency moves and hands out a fleet of high-octane sandwiches.