FanHouse Mock Draft: N.O. Saints Select CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie No. 10

With each pick of the FanHouse mock draft, we get into the head of an NFL general manager and let you know who he'll pick and why.



The Saints are in a tough spot at this point. They covet Glenn Dorsey and Sedrick Ellis most of all, but both are gone. Weakside linebacker Keith Rivers would be the final piece in a suddenly very good group of linebackers, but he's gone as well. The only other place where need and value come close at this spot is cornerback, and the Saints have their pick of all.

Though this is an odd draft in which four or so corners are considered the best of the bunch depending on who you ask, most believe it's either Leodis McKelvin or Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. In fact, both are similar players. Both are big and fast (although Rodgers-Cromartie is slightly bigger and faster). Both are excellent athletes, very solid natural man corners, and playmakers. Both are also great return men and neither had to really play top competition in college.

The Saints take Rodgers-Cromartie for his upside. Even though he's got to develop his technique and bulk up a little more, his ceiling is far higher than McKelvin's. It's a slight worry that Antonio's cousin has sky-rocketed up draft boards this offseason (setting off the bust alarms), but he proved in an excellent Senior Bowl that he can game against top prospects and in the Combine that he's got the measurables as well. All of that, plus his bloodline and group of backers (which include Deion Sanders), put him over the top.

Rodgers-Cromartie will step in instantly as the team's top return man and will, while challenging for the starting job opposite Mike McKenzie, get immediate playing time at nickel while he continues to develop.

The Skinny:
Team Needs: DT, LB, CB, S
Player Selected: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee St.
Also Considered: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy; Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida

Previous Pick: No. 9 Sedrick Ellis, Bengals

Next Pick: No.11, Buffalo Bills