Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie brings new face to cornerback market

The National Football League has reinstated veteran cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, which is a nice boost for a weaker cornerback market.

After a year away from the National Football League, veteran cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is now able to play once again after being reinstated by the powers-that-be. He is now a free agent able to sign with any team.

Rodgers-Cromartie retired halfway through last season after playing sparingly with the Oakland Raiders, a team whose snap counts cannot necessarily be trusted given the odd playing time given to some unworthy players over others. DRC was named second-team All Pro as recently as 2016, and the two-time Pro Bowler is still only 32. His best days are definitely behind him, but there’s no way to say for sure that he’s done just yet.

For a cornerback-needy team like the Chiefs, every little addition to the market definitely helps. The Chiefs haven’t exactly enjoyed the spoils of veteran signings at the position since Brett Veach took over, but that doesn’t necessarily cloud the present. Despite the lack of success for Orlando Scandrick, David Amerson, and Darrelle Revis, the reality is that the Chiefs still need someone to step in for both talent and depth at the team’s weakest overall position.

Kendall Fuller is in place as a starter, and Charvarius Ward looked like an option with potential down the stretch. However, Steven Nelson, the team’s most steady performer at corner, is likely leaving in free agency for more money than the Chiefs could afford. Tremon Smith remains a project on defense, despite his contributions on special teams.

His days as a boundary corner might be over, but DRC played in Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive system for the New York Giants in recent years (through 2017) and would also be familiar with Andy Reid during his last two years in Philadelphia.