Steelers Potential Draft Pick Profile: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

Rodgers-Cromartie might have had the best combine of any player invited this year as he was a top performer among corners in the forty, vertical jump, broad jump, broad jump, 3-cone drill, 60 yard shuttle. He also stood out during the week of the Senior Bowl and finished the game as the defensive MVP honors. Since the end of the college season, no cornerback has risen further than the man known as DRC. DRC, three year starter at Tennessee State, allowed just 55 receptions for 620 yards on 161 attempts (34.16 completion percentage & 3.85 yards per attempt) during his collegiate career. He also ended up with 859 yards on 36 kickoff returns (23.9 avg.), 44 yards on six punt returns (7.3 avg.), four fumble recoveries, eight blocked kicks, 26 passes deflected and 11 interceptions (four returned for TDs). His has the instincts and ability to react to a play at a moments notice and the speed to recover when trailing a receiver.

DRC will no doubt look back fondly on the Combine,
where his draft prospects escalated astronomically.

With all of the praise heaped on DRC up to this point, it's hard to find many people who are eager to point out any negatives with his game and future, but of course there are some. He will get over-confident and/or reckless at times leading to penalties (3 in first two games during 2006). He will probably have to gain some weight in order to excel in press coverage being that he's the tallest (6'2) highly ranked CB but also the lightest (184 lbs.). As you might expect he's also not a great tackler often diving for ankles or not wrapping up. He has decent hands but at times doesn't time his jumps well to bring the ball down.

Rodgers-Cromartie will most likely be gone by the time the Steelers take the podium but if he is there, he might be hard to pass up. His speed and size make him a unique cornerback who can also contribute on kickoff returns. He has all the tools to be a great corner in the league and shouldn't have any problem matching up with the size of AFC North receivers (Ocho Cinco, TJ, Braylon). His kickoff return skills could also be a nice compliment to Moore's exceptional punt return abilities.