Cockrell signed a two-year, $2.11 million contract with the Buccaneers on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Cockrell signed with the Buccaneers in October and played 12 regular-season games (two starts) and all three playoff games. He didn't play any defensive snaps over the final two postseason contests. With Carlton Davis, Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean all returning for 2021, Cockrell will take on a situational role in Tampa Bay's secondary once again.

The Buccaneers signed Cockrell to the active roster Tuesday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cockrell was expected to sign with the Giants back in August, but the 29-year-old cornerback refused to sign the tabled offer. He instead inked a deal with the Buccaneers' practice squad, and now he'll make his first appearance on the active roster. Cockrell played 14 games for the Panthers in 2019 and recorded 62 tackles, eight pass breakups and two interceptions while allowing a 68.6 passer rating when targeted.

Cockrell didn't sign with the Giants on Tuesday, Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cockrell was expected to reach a deal with the Giants and even underwent COVID testing and a physical, but the 29-year-old cornerback refused to sign the tabled offer Tuesday. It's unclear why this deal fell apart during negotiations, and it's especially puzzling because both parties had a vested interest in reaching an agreement due to cornerback Deandre Baker's ongoing legal issues. Regardless, Cockrell had a solid 2019 season and will likely make an NFL roster by the season opener if he chooses to play.

The Giants are expected to sign Cockrell once he passes the necessary COVID testing and a physical, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Stapleton, Cockrell visited with the Giants on Saturday and must go through the usual testing protocol (test, test, off and test again, getting three negatives by the fifth day). Assuming the process goes off without a hitch, Cockrell will team up with James Bradberry -- his old teammate on the Panthers -- at cornerback. Cockrell may even earn a starting role due to the ongoing legal issues for Deandre Baker and the lack of experience otherwise in the group.

Cockrell finished the 2019 season with 62 tackles (48 solo) and two interceptions (on eight passes defended) in 14 games played.

EDGE Analysis

Cockrell missed all of his first season in Carolina after suffering a gruesome leg injury, but returned last spring ahead of a comeback campaign. The veteran went on to start 11 games and only missed a pair of contests due to a quad problem. Overall, Cockrell matched his previous career high of 62 tackles and has now defended a respectable tally of 44 passes over his last four healthy seasons. That production should serve the 28-year-old relatively well as he now re-enters free agency.

Interim coach Perry Fewell said Cockrell played well during Sunday's loss to the Colts and will start Week 17 against the Saints, Max Henson of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Donte Jackson started all but one game he was healthy for this season entering Week 16, but he was relegated to a reserve role in favor of Cockrell versus New Orleans. Cockrell delivered 10 tackles, which is the first time in his career he recorded double-digit stops in a game.

Cockrell made 10 solo tackles in Sunday's 38-6 loss to the Colts.

EDGE Analysis

Cockrell has held a regular role as the Panthers' nickel back since Week 3, but he stepped into a starting gig on the outside Sunday with interim coach Perry Fewell benching Donte Jackson, who played zero snaps. With Cockrell parlaying the starting nod into his best tackle total of the season, Fewell indicated that Cockrell would likely remain in the lineup again for the season finale against New Orleans, per Max Henson of the Panthers' official site.

Cockrell (quadriceps) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cockrell missed the last two games with this affliction, but it looks like he'll be ready for Sunday's matchup against the Redskins. The 28-year-old has a consistent role in the Panthers' secondary rotating between safety and cornerback, registering 27 tackles, four sacks and two pass breakups over 11 games.

Cockrell (quadriceps) is officially inactive for Sunday's game against the Saints, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

It will be the second consecutive game missed for Cockrell as he's yet to make tangible progress in his recovery. Now that he's officially sidelined, Colin Jones and Javien Elliott are in line to see more snaps during Sunday's action.

Cockrell (quadriceps) is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Saints, Max Henson of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cockrell sat out last week's loss to the Falcons, but he appears to have a shot at retaking the field against the Saints on Sunday. In the event that Cockrell were forced to miss any more time, however, his absence would be a blow to Carolina's depth at both cornerback and free safety.