The Giants announced today, just moments from the start of the NFL Draft, they have signed Shaun Rogers, the veteran defensive tackle who spent last season with the New Orleans Saints.

The 12-year veteran -- a three-time Pro Bowl selection who has played for the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns, in addition to the Saints -- will add depth along the interior of the defensive line behind Chris Canty and Linval Joseph.

Rogers, a 6-4, 350-pound roadblock, started four times last season and played in all 18 of the Saints' games. He amassed 22 tackles during the regular season.

“I’m kind of honored and I appreciated them holding me in a regard enough to put me in along those guys,” said Rogers of joining a formidable Giants defensive front in a statement released by the team. “Those guys are most definitely top-notch pass rushers, defensive linemen right now, especially in their prime. I’m just happy to be a part of that group, those guys are going to help me out and hopefully I can help them out.

“Hopefully, we can be another Super Bowl champion. You get an opportunity to join an organization of this caliber with lofty goals and a great track record, you go ahead and do that. Hopefully, I can bring some of my experience over the past few years and just fit in and play a part.”

The Giants also had been inquiring about another former Pro Bowl defensive tackle, Albert Haynesworth, according to a person familiar with the team's deliberations. That person requested anonymity because the team's free agent strategy has not been made public.

Signing Rogers would seemingly make any Haynesworth interest moot.