I'm starting a new feature today that will give us an inside look at the names to know before the up-coming NFL Draft. One such player that is garnering a lot of interest in meeting rooms, talk shows and message boards is Tennessee State cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. This Division 1-AA star is dripping with potential, but can he compete with the best receivers in America?

Name: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Height: 6'2
40 time: 4.51
School: Tennessee State
Weight: 181
Best Fit Position/Role: Cover Cornerback
Jersey #: 45
Ideal Scheme/Role: Zone
Teams Interested: San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints

General Traits:
Athletic Ability:A good athlete with surprising speed and agility. Built like a basketball player. Good overall agility and footwork. Plays very loose. Can change direction quickly and without losing his balance. Shows the ability to chop and change direction, instead of trying to hard plant and go.
Character/Leadership Ability: A high-character player that is fun to be around. Has been a leader for the Tennessee State program. Very confident, almost cocky.
Competitive Nature/Work Ethic: Has not seen time against the top players in the country at this point. His play during Senior Bowl week will be key to his rating.
Football Intelligence: A smart player that reads the WR well. Can recognize and break on a route. Slow to see the run. Will bite on pump fakes.
Size: Great height and length. Skinny and lean. Could add weight to become better tackler and more confident in himself.
Toughness/Durability: Has not missed time due to injury. A durable player, but not very tough. Does not like contact.

Position Specific Traits:
Agility: Has the agility of a basketball point guard. Quick feet and hips. Fast hands. Almost wirry in his movements.
Ball Skills: Plays the ball well and can jump inside routes. Adjusts his body well to play the deep ball. Has not been challenged vertically in his senior season. Has been a turnover machine, causing teams to completely avoid his side of the field.
Body Control: Has good overall body control. Doesn't put himself in bad positions. Is agile and flexible, but strong enough to hold his ground. His height and length help here in the vertical game.
Instincts/Recognition: Good instincts on underneath routes. Is able to read the competition, albeit at a weaker level at this point. Must show himself at the Senior Bowl.
Man Coverage/Turning Ability: Likes to compete one-on-one, but is raw in his technique. Doesn’t flip his hips well or fast enough. Can get turned and must rely on his athletic ability to make up ground. Footwork can be worked on. Wastes his steps and tries to bait too many QBs.
Pursuit: Not quick to support the run or pursue. Is generally coming across the field, as team's are not throwing his way.
Speed: Looks very fast against lesser talent. Has timed well at around 4.51. Long strider with room to grow and become faster.
Tackling: Is not a willing tackler. Doesn't like or look for contact. Not a wrap up tackler, more of an ankle-biter.
Zone Coverage: Excels in zone coverage. Has good body control, comes up to the ball quickly and is athletic enough to make a play on most passes.

General Comments:Rodgers-Cromartie is one of the fastest rising players in the 2008 defensive draft class at this point in the year. His invitation to the Senior Bowl is key, as he'll be facing the best wide receivers and quarterbacks in the nation. Dominique needs a big week here, showing he can match-up in man coverage, to hold his ground among the top cover men.
Injury Concerns: None.

Could be as good as: Rashean Mathis
Worst Case: Mike Rumph

Where he'll probably go: 2nd Round
Were he should go: Late 2nd-Early 3rd

Completed By: Matt Miller
Last Updated: 11/30/2007