Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie visiting New York Jets tonight
Denver Broncos cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (45) against the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Jets are in the market for cornerback help after releasing top CB Antonio Cromartie due to his high cap number and disappointing 2013 season that caused him to be no longer worth that salary. Jets GM John Idzik is always looking for value, and it’s clear that he wants to avoid another cap conundrum reminiscent of the one he inherited when he took the job. Yesterday, the Jets showed interest in both Captain Munnerlyn and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and both corners are talented and among the best still available on the open market. Well, DRC is the best on the open market and Munnerlyn was “among the best”, as Munnerlyn signed a three-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings yesterday in what was a crucial and shrewd upgrade for Rick Spielman.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the CB-needy Jets are hosting the former Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, and Arizona Cardinals cornerback on a free agent visit tonight, and it will be interesting to see if both sides can agree to a deal. The Jets have the need and cap space to give DRC a big contract, but I wonder if they are afraid about spending big on a player who has elite talent but has shown in the past that he is at-risk for mailing it in once receiving a large contract.
DRC is now 27 and has seemingly matured from that, and I’m sure his incredible season with the Broncos on a one-year prove-it deal made him realize the value of hard work. Not only did he play in the Super Bowl, but he also turned his career around in incredible fashion by being one of the best CBs in the league last season. Rodgers-Cromartie has loads of talent, and hopefully he can sign a big deal and actually make good on it without mailing it in or getting burned frequently. As long as the contract isn’t bloated, DRC looks like an excellent potential signing on paper for the Jets, so keep a close eye on how his visit goes.