Los Angeles Chargers: No need to sign Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

An injury to cornerback Jason Verrett has the Los Angeles Chargers looking for a way to fill a hole the position. But do they even have to?

It’s just a rumor at this point, but according to multiple reports, the Los Angeles Chargers are looking to sign veteran cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. This, of course, comes in the wake of corner Jason Verrett tearing his Achilles on the first day of training camp.

It makes sense on one level: Lose a player, sign a player. One that has enough knowledge and playing history to step in and help a team. That’s logical. There are, however, three reasons the Chargers will not — or should not — sign him.

First, and likely the most obvious, there’s enough depth on the roster to, at the very least, reduce the impact of the injury. The loss of Verrett, in my opinion, puts the two most worthy corners at the No. 1 and No. 2 spot (Casey Hayward and Trevor Williams). Any combination of Desmond King, Derwin James and whichever corner steps up in training camp should be more than enough.

Second, the team would be unlikely to sign a replacement because of their reluctance to make any acquisitions in free agency thus far. Outside of an important signing of center Mike Pouncey, there are no notable moves made by Tom Telesco. Losing Verrett does not force the team’s hand, and their careful penny-pinching in the offseason should still hold.

That’s not to say that Rodgers-Cromartie would be an expensive signing, but if they won’t open their checkbooks to someone like a Johnathan Hankins at a position of need, then I can’t imagine they’d be willing to spend on someone at a position of strength.

Speaking of Hankins, the third reason the Chargers should avoid signing Rodgers-Cromartie is that the cap should be allocated towards the defensive line, particularly on the inside. Telesco does have a knack for scooping up veteran cast-offs (Brandon Flowers, Matt Slauson) and he is guaranteed to have an eye on someone on the roster bubble on other teams. Look for the money to go towards a surprise defensive lineman cut.