As the Cowboys begin the start of a rookie minicamp, let's take a closer look at each selection, with what they've done, how they might fit and what was said about the pick over the weekend.
Today, let's conclude with seventh-round pick Justin Rogers.
- Name: Justin Rogers
- Position: Defensive Tackle
- School: Auburn
- Selection: 7th round (244th overall)
What He's Bringing: Rogers is bringing plenty of size and experience to the table. Having played in the SEC, Rogers should be able to adapt quickly to the speed of the game and the size of the lineman. Obviously, the NFL is a different beast but Rogers has faced plenty of top-notch competition in his career, both at Kentucky and Auburn. Rogers is a strong, stout player who will rely on his ability to take on double-teams and hold his ground in the middle. The Cowboys lost two defensive tackle in free agency with both Neville Gallimore (Washington) and Johnathan Hankins (Seattle) departing in March. With Mazi Smith rehabbing from a shoulder injury, Rogers should have a chance to get plenty of reps in the offseason.
Where He's Playing: There's really no question where Rogers is going to line up on the field. The question for him, is how long it might take to get him involved in the rotation. But when he's out there, he'll be right in the middle of the defensive line, probably even right over the center, depending on how Mike Zimmer plans to play the defense. But Rogers is suited for a nose tackle and will play the 1-technique right over the ball.
What They're Saying: Here are some quotes that came out of draft weekend after the Cowboys selected Rogers in the seventh round.
- VP of Player Personnel Will McClay: "Then you have Justin Rogers. We want to get big; we want to be physical. Justin Rogers is a big nasty from Auburn with some length that can play that big inside nose tackle position. So the fitting needs as well as being the best players for us based on our board going down that way."
- Seventh-round pick Justin Rogers: "(The Cowboys are getting) aperson that's going to be violent in the middle. A hard worker and a person that's going to come in every day ready to work."
