Resisting the options to either select Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall or trade down in the first round, the Cardinals stayed put at the No. 16 spot and settled on Tennessee State CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. The cousin of Chargers Pro Bowl CB Antonio Cromartie adds urgently needed depth behind adequate starting CBs Rod Hood and Eric Green. Rodgers-Cromartie, who drew rave reviews at the Senior Bowl in January, won over head coach Ken Whisenhunt and defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast with his blazing speed (4.29 40-time), innate playmaking skills (10 interceptions as a four-year starter at Tennessee State, including four returned for TDs) and his ability to play both zone and man coverage. Second-round DE Calais Campbell’s college résumé wasn’t nearly as impressive as that of Rodgers-Cromartie (only six sacks in his junior season at Miami (Fla.) after registering 10½ as a sophomore). But he was the highest-rated player on the Cardinals’ draft board with the 50th pick and adds depth at another position that needed it badly. With his long arms and 6-7¾, 290-pound frame, the Cardinals think Campbell can be a very good first- and second-down player off the edge and also play DT in a 4-3 front in nickel situations. In the third round, the Cardinals picked up a solid candidate to become their third receiver in place of the departed Bryant Johnson in LSU WR Early Doucet, who should fit nicely in the slot role. Subpar production his last two college seasons caused Iowa DE Kenny Iwebema to drop to the fourth round, but he was coached by Cardinals D-line coach Ron Aiken at Iowa and could develop into a solid pro under Aiken’s tutelage. The Cardinals finally grabbed a running back in Round Five, selecting Richmond RB Tim Hightower, who doesn’t have much speed but was very productive in college, rushing for more than 1,900 yards in his senior season. Sixth-round pick Chris Harrington, the third defensive end taken by the Cardinals, is a consistent overachiever who the Cardinals could consider moving to outside linebacker. King-sized seventh-round pick Brandon Keith, the only offensive lineman drafted by the Cardinals, is tough and physical and could play either right guard or tackle at the pro level.
