ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders have signed free agent CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, the club announced Thursday.
Rodgers-Cromartie, a two-time Pro Bowler (2009, 2015) and second-team All-Pro selection in 2016, spent his first three seasons from 2008-2010 with the Arizona Cardinals before having stints with the Philadelphia Eagles (2011-12), Denver Broncos (2013) and most recently with the New York Giants (2014-17). A veteran of 10 years, Rodgers-Cromartie has played in 153 contests and made 120 starts, recording 435 tackles (379 solo), 2.5 sacks, 30 interceptions, six returned for touchdowns, 144 passes defensed, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. His postseason totals include 10 games played with 10 starts, making 32 tackles (31), three interceptions and 14 passes defensed.
Since entering the league in 2008, his 144 passes defensed rank first among all active players, while his 30 interceptions rank sixth. In 2016, he led the Giants and finished tied for second in the NFL with six interceptions, earning a second-team All-Pro selection. A year prior in 2015, he started in all 15 games he appeared in and notched a career-high 56 tackles (52), three interceptions, one that was returned for a touchdown, 13 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery en route to his second Pro Bowl honor.
Originally drafted by the Cardinals in the first round (16th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft, Rodgers-Cromartie recorded 13 interceptions and 66 passes defensed while appearing in all 48 games in his first three seasons, earning his first Pro Bowl selection in 2009. Additionally, he was recognized for his exceptional play in 2008 and named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team after posting four interceptions and 19 passes defensed, marks that paced all NFL rookies.
Last season, the 6-foot-2, 203 pound cornerback played in 15 contests and made six starts for the Giants, tallying 48 stops (31) and one pass defensed.
A native of Bradenton, Fla., he played four seasons at Tennessee State (2004-07). For the Tigers, he appeared in 44 games with 39 starts and earned All-American honors twice, finishing with 11 career interceptions, four of which he returned for touchdowns.
In a corresponding move, the Raiders have Waived/Injured S Obi Melifonwu. A second-round (56th overall) selection by the club in the 2017 NFL Draft, Melifonwu appeared in five games and made one start in his rookie season, while spending 10 weeks on the Reserve/Injured List due to both a knee and hip injury.
