I don't think you can go wrong with either player. Manny is a very bright (28 on the wonderlic) player especially for a DE/OLB type and exceptionally athletic. And when I say exceptionally, I mean Matt Jones exceptional. Manny is one of those guys that does not come around that often that really pushes the envelope of what can and cannot be done at what size. It use to be that you never saw a guy 6'4" or above run a low 4.4 in the 40. Jones ran the 4.37 at 6062 and 242 pounds. I said it then, and it is as true today as it was then, that the NFL has never seen a size/speed combination like that of Matt Jones. He was the first. Well, now Manny Lawson comes along and at 6053 and 241 pounds he runs a 4.43. Obviously not QUITE the same as Matt Jones, inch shorter, pound lighter, 0.06 slower, but it stands.
Now on the one hand Manny plays DE, where Matt plays WR. A lot of people kept chanting "mike mamula" when they talked about Matt Jones, but what they failed to note was that Mamula played a position where strength is just as important as athletic ability...and in terms of size and strength Mr. Mamula left something to be desired. Jones plays WR, where your ability to move and catch the ball are the keys. Jones displayed some raw natural catching skills when he worked out. The bad thing for Manny is he DOES play DE, just like Mike Mamula. If Manny can't cut it in the strength department he's destined to be a part timer, situational pass rusher. But I tend to believe he can cut it in the strength department, as he's often cited for his physical strength especially upper body...and most especially he has the long arms which give him the potential to keep tackles away from his body.
The advantage Manny does have over Matt is that where Matt is being asked to play a position he's not played before, Manny has been a DE and an OLB. He's had extensive coverage experience even after he made the move to DE.
As for Cromartie...I don't think the same knee will be a problem, and I don't think he's at that high a risk for re-injuring it. Usually what you have to worry about with something like that is other injuries, because of overcompensation. For that, we'd just have to see.
