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Rodgers-Cromartie quietly emerging as top prospect
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
(Archive)
Updated: February 26, 2008
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Middle Tennessee State CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, cousin of Chargers standout and 2006 first-round pick CB Antonio Cromartie, is developing into one of the most intriguing stories in the 2008 NFL draft. The 6-foot-1½, 184-pound corner made his mark as one of the top playmakers at last month's Senior Bowl and continued his pre-draft heroics with one of the finest performances of the 333 prospects invited to this year's combine. Rodgers-Cromartie displayed outstanding feet and hip-fluidity during position-specific drills, which is helpful for a taller defensive back that some scouts project as a better fit at free safety. Running the third-fastest 40-yard dash of all the corners didn't hurt case, either.
In a corner class deep with talent but lacking a consensus top choice, Rodgers-Cromartie is quietly emerging as one of premier prospects. In fact, it would no longer be a surprise if he sneaks into the bottom of the opening round -- a sizeable feat considering there hasn't been a small-school (non-FBS) prospect taken in Round 1 since 2000, when a pair of Jackson State players -- WR Sylvester Morris and DB Rashard Anderson -- were selected with picks No. 21 and 23, respectively.
Cornerbacks
In all fairness, three of the other top cornerback prospects also delivered during Tuesday's 40-yard dash. Leodis McKelvin (4.38), Mike Jenkins (4.40) and Aqib Talib (4.48) and all ran times in the 4.4-second range or better, but McKelvin had the best workout of the three. While his below-average ball skills continue to concern scouts, both at cornerback and returning punts, McKelvin continues to display the quickest feet and best change-of-direction skills of any DB in this year's crop. Talib, on the other hand, showed surprisingly poor technique and frequently looked out of control on pedal-and-turn drills.
As a side note, 21 players ran a sub-4.4 second 40-yard dash at this year's combine.
Penn State's Justin King entered the combine as one of the corners that desperately needed a quality showing at the combine to help offset a disappointing junior season. It's safe to say he answered the bell. At 5-11 and 192 pounds, King ran both of his 40s in the 4.3-second range and looked smooth during position specific drills as well. King's official 40-time of 4.31 ties him with Connecticut CB Tyvon Branch for the best results of the day.
Boise State CB Orlando Scandrick, a surprise underclassman addition to the 2008 class, is no longer flying under the radar. As we predicted last week, Scandrick wowed scouts with a monster workout at this year's combine. The 5-10, 192-pound corner blazed a 4.34 in the 40-yard dash and held his own during the position specific drills on Tuesday morning.
Two corners who did not help their causes were Virginia Tech's Brandon Flowers and LSU's Chevis Jackson. Flowers recorded a 4.58 40 and Jackson clocked in at even more disappointing 4.65. Now scouts will take another look at their abilities to turn and run with receivers on film and both players will look to put up faster times at their respective pro days.
It was a scary moment when LSU CB Jonathan Zenon hit the turf after appearing to injure his knee during position specific drills. Zenon limped off without assistance, so hopefully it is not a serious injury.
Here is a look at the latest test results at the cornerback position:
Top five 40-yard dash times (seconds)
T1. Justin King, Penn State -- 4.31.
T1. Tyvon Branch, Connecticut -- 4.31.
3. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State -- 4.33
4. Orland Scandrick, Boise State -- 4.34.
5. Tracy Porter, Indiana -- 4.37.
Top five bench press results (reps)
1. Antwaun Molden, Eastern Kentucky -- 23.
2. Justin Tryon, Arizona State -- 21.
T3. Antoine Cason, Arizona -- 20.
T3. Jonathan Wilhite, Auburn -- 20.
5. Jack Williams, Kent State -- 19.
Top five vertical jump test results (inches)
1. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State -- 38.5.
2. Aqib Talib, Kansas -- 38.
3. Antwaun Molden, Eastern Kentucky -- 37.5.
4. Glenn Sharpe, Miami (Fla.) -- 37.
5. Terrence Wheatley, Colorado -- 36.5.
Safeties
Tuesday was a was a good reminder of the lack of talent that exists at safety in the 2008 class, Just look at the top prospect, Miami's Kenny Phillips. He is the only potential irst-rounder at this position, but he looked a bit stiff in drills and ran his 40s in the high 4.5-second range.
Alabama CB/S Simeon Castille appeared far more fluid than Phillips getting out of breaks and played the ball well during drills but he turned in an unofficial 40 time of 4.70 seconds. If he doesn't improve those times at his pro day, scouts will be weary of his ability to cover the deep half of the field or match-up in man coverage.
On a more positive note, Arizona State's Josh Barrett turned some heads with an impressive 40-time. The 6-2, 223-pound Barrett clocked in at an eye-popping 4.35 seconds and with that blend of size and speed, Barrett has enormous potential. That should help him come draft day.
Another safety who had a strong workout is Notre Dame's Tom Zbikowski. He ran a 4.52 40-yard dash, put up 24 reps on the bench and, most importantly, he looked surprisingly fluid during cover drills. He could now move into the fourth- or even third-round range.
Here is a look at some of the latest test results from the safeties:
Top five 40-yard dash test results (seconds)
1. Joshua Barrett, Arizona State -- 4.35.
2. Quintin Demps, UTEP -- 4.40.
3. Michael Grant, Arkansas -- 4.45.
4. Tyrell Johnson, Arkansas State -- 4.48
5. Tom Zbikowski, Notre Dame -- 4.52.
Top five bench press test results (reps)
1. Tyrell Johnson, Arkansas State -- 27.
T2. Tom Zbikowski, Notre Dame -- 24.
T2. Caleb Cambell, Army -- 24.
4. Dominique Barber, Minnesota -- 23.
5. Dajuan Morgan, North Carolina State -- 21.
Todd McShay is the director of college football scouting for Scouts Inc. He has been evaluating prospects for the NFL draft since 1998.
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By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
(Archive)
Updated: February 26, 2008
Comment
Middle Tennessee State CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, cousin of Chargers standout and 2006 first-round pick CB Antonio Cromartie, is developing into one of the most intriguing stories in the 2008 NFL draft. The 6-foot-1½, 184-pound corner made his mark as one of the top playmakers at last month's Senior Bowl and continued his pre-draft heroics with one of the finest performances of the 333 prospects invited to this year's combine. Rodgers-Cromartie displayed outstanding feet and hip-fluidity during position-specific drills, which is helpful for a taller defensive back that some scouts project as a better fit at free safety. Running the third-fastest 40-yard dash of all the corners didn't hurt case, either.
In a corner class deep with talent but lacking a consensus top choice, Rodgers-Cromartie is quietly emerging as one of premier prospects. In fact, it would no longer be a surprise if he sneaks into the bottom of the opening round -- a sizeable feat considering there hasn't been a small-school (non-FBS) prospect taken in Round 1 since 2000, when a pair of Jackson State players -- WR Sylvester Morris and DB Rashard Anderson -- were selected with picks No. 21 and 23, respectively.
Cornerbacks
In all fairness, three of the other top cornerback prospects also delivered during Tuesday's 40-yard dash. Leodis McKelvin (4.38), Mike Jenkins (4.40) and Aqib Talib (4.48) and all ran times in the 4.4-second range or better, but McKelvin had the best workout of the three. While his below-average ball skills continue to concern scouts, both at cornerback and returning punts, McKelvin continues to display the quickest feet and best change-of-direction skills of any DB in this year's crop. Talib, on the other hand, showed surprisingly poor technique and frequently looked out of control on pedal-and-turn drills.
As a side note, 21 players ran a sub-4.4 second 40-yard dash at this year's combine.
Penn State's Justin King entered the combine as one of the corners that desperately needed a quality showing at the combine to help offset a disappointing junior season. It's safe to say he answered the bell. At 5-11 and 192 pounds, King ran both of his 40s in the 4.3-second range and looked smooth during position specific drills as well. King's official 40-time of 4.31 ties him with Connecticut CB Tyvon Branch for the best results of the day.
Boise State CB Orlando Scandrick, a surprise underclassman addition to the 2008 class, is no longer flying under the radar. As we predicted last week, Scandrick wowed scouts with a monster workout at this year's combine. The 5-10, 192-pound corner blazed a 4.34 in the 40-yard dash and held his own during the position specific drills on Tuesday morning.
Two corners who did not help their causes were Virginia Tech's Brandon Flowers and LSU's Chevis Jackson. Flowers recorded a 4.58 40 and Jackson clocked in at even more disappointing 4.65. Now scouts will take another look at their abilities to turn and run with receivers on film and both players will look to put up faster times at their respective pro days.
It was a scary moment when LSU CB Jonathan Zenon hit the turf after appearing to injure his knee during position specific drills. Zenon limped off without assistance, so hopefully it is not a serious injury.
Here is a look at the latest test results at the cornerback position:
Top five 40-yard dash times (seconds)
T1. Justin King, Penn State -- 4.31.
T1. Tyvon Branch, Connecticut -- 4.31.
3. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State -- 4.33
4. Orland Scandrick, Boise State -- 4.34.
5. Tracy Porter, Indiana -- 4.37.
Top five bench press results (reps)
1. Antwaun Molden, Eastern Kentucky -- 23.
2. Justin Tryon, Arizona State -- 21.
T3. Antoine Cason, Arizona -- 20.
T3. Jonathan Wilhite, Auburn -- 20.
5. Jack Williams, Kent State -- 19.
Top five vertical jump test results (inches)
1. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State -- 38.5.
2. Aqib Talib, Kansas -- 38.
3. Antwaun Molden, Eastern Kentucky -- 37.5.
4. Glenn Sharpe, Miami (Fla.) -- 37.
5. Terrence Wheatley, Colorado -- 36.5.
Safeties
Tuesday was a was a good reminder of the lack of talent that exists at safety in the 2008 class, Just look at the top prospect, Miami's Kenny Phillips. He is the only potential irst-rounder at this position, but he looked a bit stiff in drills and ran his 40s in the high 4.5-second range.
Alabama CB/S Simeon Castille appeared far more fluid than Phillips getting out of breaks and played the ball well during drills but he turned in an unofficial 40 time of 4.70 seconds. If he doesn't improve those times at his pro day, scouts will be weary of his ability to cover the deep half of the field or match-up in man coverage.
On a more positive note, Arizona State's Josh Barrett turned some heads with an impressive 40-time. The 6-2, 223-pound Barrett clocked in at an eye-popping 4.35 seconds and with that blend of size and speed, Barrett has enormous potential. That should help him come draft day.
Another safety who had a strong workout is Notre Dame's Tom Zbikowski. He ran a 4.52 40-yard dash, put up 24 reps on the bench and, most importantly, he looked surprisingly fluid during cover drills. He could now move into the fourth- or even third-round range.
Here is a look at some of the latest test results from the safeties:
Top five 40-yard dash test results (seconds)
1. Joshua Barrett, Arizona State -- 4.35.
2. Quintin Demps, UTEP -- 4.40.
3. Michael Grant, Arkansas -- 4.45.
4. Tyrell Johnson, Arkansas State -- 4.48
5. Tom Zbikowski, Notre Dame -- 4.52.
Top five bench press test results (reps)
1. Tyrell Johnson, Arkansas State -- 27.
T2. Tom Zbikowski, Notre Dame -- 24.
T2. Caleb Cambell, Army -- 24.
4. Dominique Barber, Minnesota -- 23.
5. Dajuan Morgan, North Carolina State -- 21.
Todd McShay is the director of college football scouting for Scouts Inc. He has been evaluating prospects for the NFL draft since 1998.
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