Small School CB - Good size/speed/measurables

[Nors]

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State

Name: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
College: Tennessee State Number: 45
Height: 6-2 Weight: 182
Position: CB Pos2: FS
Class/Draft Year: Sr/2008
40 Time: 4.44 40 Low: 4.38 40 High: 4.49
Projected Round: 1-2 Stock:
Rated number 5 out of 208 CB's 31 / 2235 TOTAL

Combine Results Pro Day Results
Combine Invite:
Height: 6016
Weight: 182


Draft Scout Snapshot: 11 GP; 11 GS; 47 TT, 2 TFL, 6 INT, 7 PBU, 1 BLK; 1st team All-Ohio Valley in '06. 11 GP; 11 GS; 41 TT, 3 TFL, 1 INT, 4 PBU in '05. 11 GP; 11 GS; 33 TT, 1 TFL, 2 INT, 3 PBU, 1 BLK in '04.

Overview

The NFL has become more and more willing to gamble on small school prospects, particularly defensive backs. Some small school gambles have paid off handsomely -- Jacksonville selecting Rashean Mathis from Bethune-Cookman, Chicago unearthing Charles Tillman from Louisiana-Lafayette, to name a few. Others, such as first-day selections Joey Thomas and Roosevelt Williams have yet to establish themselves. Rodgers-Cromartie is this year's top rated small school defensive back. A versatile athlete, he led the Ohio Valley Conference with six interceptions last season and flashed his athletic ability this spring as a track athlete, capturing first places in the 60-yard dash (6.89), long jump (25-00.75) and high jump (6-09.5). Rodgers-Cromartie has been able to get by on his natural tools at this level, but scouts want to see him perform against elite talent. His recognition, physicality in run support and weight all need refining, though these are elements than can be coached. With another strong campaign, Rodgers-Cromartie should position himself for an invite to the most prestigious senior all-season games.



Analysis

Positives: Rare combination of size and speed. ... Long arms, which he uses very well to at least deflect passes. ... Natural hands for the interception. ... Uses his height, long arms and competitiveness to dare quarterbacks to pass his way and often wins the battle for the ball. ... Reliable open-field tackler who enters his senior season as TSU's leading returning tackler (47 tackles). ... Intelligent on and off the field. ... Capable of playing in more than one scheme and is on pace to graduate with a degree in psychology.

Negatives: Lack of elite competition is an obvious concern. ... Has great height for the position, but has played most of his career at approximately 175 pounds; considerably lighter than scouts want at cornerback. ... Has relied on his tools at the I-AA level and needs work on his technique. ... Inconsistent with his initial jam. ... Peeks into the backfield, daring opponents to challenge him. ... May lack the elite second gear to catch up if beaten initially. ... Willing open-field tackler, but by no means a punisher.

 

[dallasfan]

I'd definately consider him. Especially since who ever we draft doesn't need to be anything more than a #3 at all in 08', as long as Henry doesn't have a melt down.

 

[sago1]

Henry will be 32 and has had injury problems & Newman turns 30 in 08. Teams in the NFL need 3 good CBs. At this point we don't know (maybe Wade knows better) how good Reeves & Nate Jones can play. Unless both are good (which escaped most of our notice), we need a CB in 08 draft who can play immediately as our slot #3 CB but also move up to take over for either Newman or Henry if one of them gets hurt. Frankly, if neither Reeves/Jones or Ball show enough, I'd also like to see us draft a 2nd CB in the 2-4 rounds.

 

[Nors]

CB and NT depth were basically ignored last draft, why I am not certain.

 

[dallasfan]

CB and NT depth were basically ignored last draft, why I am not certain.

Because that would be the smart thing to do, duh.............seriously though, I'm cool with ignoring NT, cause barring injury, it won't be a factor, and if we get a decent one, he can contribute as a rookie. CB on the other hand is differeny. IMO, you're rolling the dice whenever you play one, so it's smart to have the replacement cb before you need him

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Because that would be the smart thing to do, duh.............seriously though, I'm cool with ignoring NT, cause barring injury, it won't be a factor, and if we get a decent one, he can contribute as a rookie. CB on the other hand is differeny. IMO, you're rolling the dice whenever you play one, so it's smart to have the replacement cb before you need him

I don't really agree with this. Because we play a 34, NT is probably the key position if you want to be succesful with it. Ferguson is pretty long in the tooth and we really don't have anybody behind him. CB is certainly important but I don't know that I would say it's more important for our situation. I guess we'll see. Hopefully, Ferguson doesn't get hurt and we don't have to find out.

 

[Nors]

We are also $13 Million under camp and could have afforded to get depth there, especially at NT.

Rat our backup NT is a hybrid DT/DE. He will get destroyed at NT if forced to play there much.

 

[dallasfan]

I don't really agree with this. Because we play a 34, NT is probably the key position if you want to be succesful with it. Ferguson is pretty long in the tooth and we really don't have anybody behind him. CB is certainly important but I don't know that I would say it's more important for our situation. I guess we'll see. Hopefully, Ferguson doesn't get hurt and we don't have to find out.

I never said CB was more important than NT. If you don't have a player there, the 3-4 doesn't work. But I was saying it is easier to fill. I have no doubt that a quality NT can be found outside of round 1 or even 2, and there's a good chance they can contribute immediately. That's not the case at CB, atleast most times.

For example, in 04', the steelers went 15-1 and had the #1 defense (not exactly sure, but they were pretty good that year). But that year he played in only 6 games. His back-up 4th year, undrafted Chris Hoke, with 0 career starts. My point, as long as Ferguson is healthy, it won't make a difference.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I never said CB was more important than NT. If you don't have a player there, the 3-4 doesn't work. But I was saying it is easier to fill. I have no doubt that a quality NT can be found outside of round 1 or even 2, and there's a good chance they can contribute immediately. That's not the case at CB, atleast most times.

For example, in 04', the steelers went 15-1 and had the #1 defense (not exactly sure, but they were pretty good that year). But that year he played in only 6 games. His back-up 4th year, undrafted Chris Hoke, with 0 career starts. My point, as long as Ferguson is healthy, it won't make a difference.

You stated that you were cool with ignoring NT because we have a guy there already. I don't agree with that. We have a guy who is old at a very physically demanding position and nothing behind him. Chances are better then average, IMO, that Ferguson will experience injury at NT. The older he gets, the better the chance of his happening. NT is key to the 34. If you can't be strong at that position, it doesn't matter how good or bad your CBs are. We have two pretty good CBs right now. In the short term, we might be hurting but eventually, we are going to have a good set on the field. Not saying we could not use help there. I'm saying I don't believe we can count on Ferguson not being hurt and further, being able to just draft a player and have him step in and play at a high level in his rookie year.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Well, it would seem that we will find out soon enough if NT is going to be a problem or not. Ferguson is gone. Hopefully, you are correct and we can find somebody to fill in for him. If not, it's going to be a very long season defensively.

 

[Nors]

We are just going to have to score 45 points a game and we should be fine!

 

[dallasfan]

Well, it would seem that we will find out soon enough if NT is going to be a problem or not. Ferguson is gone. Hopefully, you are correct and we can find somebody to fill in for him. If not, it's going to be a very long season defensively.

Hopefully, I almost feel like I jinxed us