Over the next two weeks, Dallascowboys.com dives deeper into the talented group of undrafted rookies that will battle for a roster spot this offseason.
- Name: Kendrick Rogers
- Position: Wide Receiver
- School: Texas A&M
- Height/Weight: 6-4/208lbs
- Awards & Recognition: NFL Combine Invite / Caught game-winning score in 7OT win vs. LSU in 2018.
The Good: Rogers is a walking highlight reel. Spectacular catch? Crunch-time reception? Red zone presence? He is undoubtably all of those things while he has the size and speed (4.52 40-yard-dash) that is foundation enough for an NFL wideout. It seems as if no bad throw is truly out of reach of his 6-foot-4 frame and ability to high-point the football while using his body to box-out a defender. The catch-radius is comparable to many NFL wide receivers and bodes well as to why he was able to make those receptions.
The Project: For some reason, the tape doesn't match the speed he showed at the combine. When a prospect runs a low-4.5 40-yard-dash, especially with the 10-yard split (1.48 seconds) and size that Rogers has, you'd expect to see some explosiveness off the line of scrimmage and that is flat out not the case. Rogers struggles to create separation from the jump and relies on his length and size to make a grab more often than not. His breaks in the middle of a route are muddied and sluggish which creates a huge issue when projecting against shiftier, quicker corners at the professional level.
The Summary: With a lack of consistency, limited explosiveness, and no real answer for facing press coverage, the projected ceiling for Rogers is quite low. At least, it's low if you're looking for an outside receiver to make plays early in drives or in long-yardage situations. Rogers was 0-for-8 in catching targets of 20 or more yards down field in 2019, which point his potential straight to short yardage or redzone situations. With his size and catch radius, it isn't out of the question to use Rogers as a big-slot or even redzone tight end in certain packages if this coaching staff believes that role is worth a spot on the 55-man roster. It'll be an uphill battle for him from the beginning of camp on though, because while there is a fourth receiver slot open, Rogers would have to answer a lot of the questions surrounding his game this summer.
Check out the full rookie class HERE.
The Cowboys have a rich history in signing undrafted rookies from Drew Pearson to Tony Romo. Check out this year's group of 15 rookie free agents that have agreed to terms.
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma – Despite needs on defense, the Cowboys couldn't pass up Lamb with the 17th pick. A consensus All-American at OU, Lamb piled up 32 touchdown catches in three years.
Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama – The younger brother of Bills WR Stefon Diggs, Trevon started two years for Nick Saban at Alabama and posted four interceptions in 18 starts. At 6-1, 205, he's got the ideal frame for an NFL press corner.
Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma – A run-stuffing defensive tackle, Gallimore posted 18 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks in four seasons at Oklahoma. Drafting Gallimore in the third round, the Cowboys like his athleticism and motor at 300 pounds.
Reggie Robinson II, CB, Tulsa - The first of two fourth-round picks by Dallas, Robinson had a breakout senior season at Tulsa with four interceptions and 17 pass breakups. He also blocked four kicks in college.
Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin – The Cowboys traded back into the fourth round to draft Biadasz, an All-American and Rimington Award winner at Wisconsin. In three seasons, running back Jonathan Taylor ran for a record-setting 6,000 yards behind Biadasz and his fellow offensive linemen. Biadasz compete for the center job left by the retiring Travis Frederick, who also starred at Wisconsin.
Bradlee Anae, DE, Utah – A consensus All-American last season, Anae was one of the most productive edge rushers in this year's class, having posted 29.5 sacks in four seasons at Utah. The Cowboys nearly took him in the fourth round but were able to get him later in the fifth.
Ben DiNucci, QB, James Madison – Drafted in the seventh round, DiNucci started 29 games in two seasons at James Madison, posting a 23-6 record and an appearance in the FCS Championship game held in Frisco, just up the road from The Star.
Terence Steele, OT, Texas Tech – Steele played right and left tackle as a four-year starter for Texas Tech. Last year the Red Raiders' offensive line allowed only 18 sacks in 531 pass attempts.
Stephen Guidry, WR, Mississippi State – Guidry recorded 387 yards and five touchdowns at Mississippi State last season. At 6-4 and 200 pounds, his size and athleticism offer an enticing possibility for development.
Aaron Parker, WR, Rhode Island – Parker flew under-the-radar playing for Rhode Island, but he recorded 30 touchdowns in his collegiate career including nine last season to go along with 1,224 receiving yards.
Charlie Taumoepeau, TE, Portland State – Was on nearly every All-American team at the FSC level in 2019, where he caught 36 passes for 474 yards and two touchdowns in just 10 games. He earned first-team All-Big Sky Conference honors in 2018-19
Kendrick Rogers, WR, Texas A&M – At 6-4, 208 pounds, Rogers has intriguing measurables. His career numbers for the Aggies weren't amazing, but he made splashy plays in big moments.
Darius Anderson, RB, TCU – The former Horned Frog had 823 yards as part of a back-field-by-committee last year. He also returned kicks for the Frogs, so his special teams abilities could help him earn a roster spot.
Sewo Olonilua, FB, TCU – Another part of the Horned Frog backfield. He might be listed as a fullback, but Olonilua can carry the rock. He rushed for 537 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
Rico Dowdle, RB, South Carolina – A knee injury hampered Dowdle in 2019, but he still managed to rush for 500 yards for the Gamecocks. At 5-11, 213 pounds, he's got a solid NFL frame.
Sean McKeon, TE, Michigan – He'll need to work on his strength, but McKeon has the experience and the frame required to function as a solid blocker. He caught 58 passes in college, but only 13 of those came last season.
Garrett Marino, DT, UAB – A three-time All-Conference USA performer, including first-team honors in 2019. He had six sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss for the Blazers.
Ron'Dell Carter, DE, James Madison – If there was an award for it, Carter either won it or was a finalist after a stellar 2019 season that earned him consensus All-American honors at the FSC level. His 23 sacks is ninth-most in school history at James Madison, where Hall of Famer Charles Haley starred in the 1980s.
Ladarius Hamilton, DE, North Texas – One of the more productive players in North Texas history, finishing his career tied for sixth in school history with 17 sacks and his 28.5 tackles for loss ranks sixth.
Francis Bernard, LB, Utah – A first-team All-Pac 12 performer in 2019, Bernard played in 26 games for the Utes, after transferring from BYU. He was twice named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week. He joins college teammate Bradlee Anae (fifth-round pick) in this Cowboys' rookie class.
Azur Kamara, LB, Kansas – Versatile defender at Kansas after spending two years in JUCO. Kamara played both defensive end and outside linebacker, and earned All-Big 12 honorable mention honors as a senior in 2019.
Luther Kirk, S, Illinois State – The only safety among this rookie class for the Cowboys. That should be an advantage to Kirk, who was the MVP of the East-West Shrine Bowl back in January. He earned FSC All-American honors in 2019. He's a physical player that gets close to the line of scrimmage, recording 89 tackles last season.
