Continuing our post-draft evaluations, we’re diving into the Pittsburgh Steelers undrafted free agent pool. We’ll do full breakdowns of the players that have enough tape available. We’ll take a break from the gluttony of offensive lineman we’ve profiled and look at Louisville receiver Eli Rogers.
#6 – Eli Rogers/WR Louisville: 5’10 187
The Good
– Quick-twitch player who explodes at the top of his break, shows the ability to separate
– Fluid athlete who doesn’t have any stiffness
– Has a good feel for defenders and dice a nice job settling into the soft spot against zone defenses
– Quick-to-the-tuck after the catch, gets upfield in a hurry and some ability to make defenses miss post-catch
– Good effort in getting his hands extended away from his body, can pluck the ball
– Tough and willing to go over the middle, willing to get his nose dirty
– Consistently productive
– Some return value
The Bad
– Tiny frame with small hands, size will limit him to the slot at the next level
– More quick than fast who probably won’t win vertical too often
– Lack of size makes it difficult for him to adjust to poorly thrown balls, small catch radius
– Didn’t face it much but logical he will have trouble getting off press coverage at the next level
– Isn’t going to be an effective blocker who is better off trying to deceive pass than attempt to stalk block
– Rotated in and out of the lineup and wasn’t an every down receiver
– Limited route tree, out/dig and mesh concept heavy
– Never had a breakout season
Other
– 2014: 45 receptions 525 yards 3 TDs, lead team in receptions
– Career: 176 receptions 2020 yards 12 TDs
– Had between 41-46 receptions and 454-536 yards in every season
– 29 career punt returns
– Had one 100+ yard game in his career, came during freshman season
– Never had more than five catches in a game senior year
– Went to the same high school as Teddy Bridgewater, two are very close and Rogers lived with him at points growing up
– Originally committed with Bridgewater to Miami (FL) before decommiting and going to Louisville, where Bridgewater followed suit
– Senior year of high school: 59 catches 691 yards 3 TDs despite missing three TDs
Tape Breakdown
Rogers is an interesting story who, like so many we’ve profiled, overcame a lot.