Auburn DL Justin Rogers drafted No. 244 overall to the Dallas Cowboys
Auburn defensive lineman Justin Rogers has been drafted in the 7th round by the Dallas Cowboys. Harris is the 244th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Rogers at Auburn
Rogers tallied 78 tackles, seven tackles for four sacks during his four years in college — three at Kentucky and one at Auburn. His senior season was almost identical to his sophomore season — 17 tackles, two tackles for loss last season compared to 17 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 2021.
Rogers reached four or more tackles six times during his career, five of those times happened at Kentucky, with only one four-tackle performance at Auburn against Ole Miss last season. Rogers recorded three tackles or more 14 times and only three happened while at Auburn. Five times Rogers recorded at least one tackle for loss, two of which came last season with Auburn against Ole Miss and Georgia.
His primary role was taking up space in Ron Roberts‘ defense last season, and Rogers shared time with Jayson Jones.
PFF Grades/NFL Combine
Among Auburn defenders who played 300 or more snaps (16 players), Rogers had the worst overall defensive grade per Pro Football Focus. PFF graded Rogers the 28th-best defender on the Tigers’ defense last season.
Rogers attended the NFL Combine and jumped 24.5″ on the vertical jump and pumped out 21 reps in the bench press. Rogers measured in at 6-foot-2.5 and 330 pounds.
SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS
- Rogers has a wide base and a low center of gravity to hold his ground, as well as the upper-body strength to shed blockers.
- Provides some secondary interior pass rush, getting most penetration when playing three technique.
- He’s very instinctive when it comes to countering and solid with overall hand usage.
- Combines strength and footwork to fill holes inside, as well. Recovers from cut blocks or falling on his way to make a tackle.
- He shows impressive burst and enough quickness to occasionally threaten the edge as a pass rusher.
- Rogers has the strong core and powerful hands to shed blockers, and Rogers shows excellent instincts with the ability to quickly locate the ball.
SCOUTING REPORT: WEAKNESSES
- Lacks closing speed and inconsistent quickness off the snap prevents him from being an elite pass rusher.
- Rogers doesn’t have a lot of suddenness to his game, and Rogers won’t wreck plays on a regular basis.
- Rogers struggles with leverage off the snap and plays too tall, limiting his effectiveness as a pass rusher.
