Pro Bowl Draft 2016: Ranking the New York Giants
By Mike Luca
5. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (CB—Team Irvin)
Had the Oakland Raiders retiring safety Charles Woodson not been saved for a Mr. Irrelevant-type tribute, Rodgers-Cromartie could easily be waking up owning the notorious title himself. He’s the sole member of the Giants to not be recruited by OBJ and Team Rice, and is only with Team Irvin due to being the last cornerback on the board, after the likes of Brent Grimes, Adam “Pacman” Jones and Jason Verrett.
Such is the appropriate case when you’re representing the league’s most inferior pass defense (299 YPG allowed).
DRC did his best this season to occupy space wherever and whenever the rest of the secondary couldn’t capably step up. He led the team with 13 passes defended and accounted for half of New York’s four defensive touchdowns.
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Imagining front-seven patchwork being a priority in the offseason, healthily matured contributions from the safeties and much-awaited elevation from Prince Amukamara (or someone else) on the other side, the Giants first CB Pro Bowler since 1984 can see his skill set validated yet again in 2016. This accolade is merely an unexpected bonus.
It’s his unique height and agility that was praised throughout Rodgers-Cromartie’s “selection” as they zoomed in on a lackadaisical face ogling an airborne Nerf product like a childhood firefly. If that isn’t a microcosm of the attitude towards this game then nothing is, so he wins chiefly because of that.
Plus, there’s the expectation that by the time DRC touches the field, Manning and OBJ will already be resting, so another bullet is dodged. Keep the bench warm with the kicker in the meantime.