Jan 1, 2017; Landover, MD, USA; New York Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (41) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

New York Giants Will Reportedly Attempt To Keep Defense Together

New York Giants Will Reportedly Attempt To Keep Defense Together by Maxwell Ogden

Speculation has mounted that the New York Giants could part ways with cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. That would be a terrible idea.

There’s a growing belief that the New York Giants could part ways with cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. The 30-year-old has an $8.5 million cap hit in 2017 and New York could determine that he isn’t worth the cost.

Though there are reasons to believe dropping $8.5 million from the payroll would be beneficial, Rodgers-Cromartie isn’t a player whom New York can afford to part ways with.

Rodgers-Cromartie is coming off of a season during which he recorded 49 tackles, 1.0 sack, one forced fumble, and six interceptions. It was an excellent display by the veteran cornerback, who’s preparing to enter his 10th NFL season.

Rodgers-Cromartie’s sensational season resulted in a ranking of No. 5 amongst NFL cornerbacks on Pro Football Focus.

Beyond his individual performance, Rodgers-Cromartie has built tremendous chemistry with Janoris Jenkins. That duo helped New York allow the second-fewest passing touchdowns in the NFL at 15.

While Jenkins was generally tasked with containing the opposition’s No. 1 wide receiver, Rodgers-Cromartie was as clutch as any defensive back in the NFL.

DRC has tied a career-high with 6 INT this season

FIVE have come in 2nd half

4 have come in final 4 mins, including 3 inside final 1:58 — Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) January 4, 2017

Not every player can be counted on to step up in the biggest of moments, but DRC is one of the rare exceptions.

The Giants need continuity in the defensive backfield. With Rodgers-Cromartie and Jenkins at cornerback, as well as Andrew Adams and Landon Collins at safety, they’d have exactly that entering the 2017 NFL season.

By parting ways with Rodgers-Cromartie, New York would be tasked with finding a cornerback who would need to learn the scheme, as well as the safeties’ tendencies.

Rodgers-Cromartie is already ahead of the curve.

It’s hard to deny the appeal of removing $8.5 million from the payroll, no matter how talented Rogers-Cromartie may be. That’s even more true when one considers the fact that DRC will turn 31 years of age on April 7.

Risky as it may be to give him a chance to start again in 2017, Rodgers-Cromartie has earned every penny of his contract.

The rumors continue to gain steam, but parting ways with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie would be a grave mistake for the New York Giants.