Blogging The Boys
The Dallas Cowboys rounded out their draft class with Auburn’s Justin Rodgers!
With the 244th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected Auburn defensive tackle Justin Rogers. The Cowboys needed to beef up the middle of their defensive line after having issues stopping the run. Rogers is an attempt to fix that issue as he is large and specializes in run defense.
Rogers is a “what you see is what you get” nose tackle with a girthy build and film full of fistfights where he gives as well as he gets. He’s built low to the ground and plays with a terrific anchor to ward off block finishes and stay on his feet. He has decent length for his size but not enough to consistently shed blocks, despite possessing the power to stack single blocks. Rogers is a drain-clogging nose capable of muddying the A-gaps for teams looking for depth and help slowing the run.
Justin Rogers is an effective run defender. He plays with good functional strength to stack blocks and close gaps. He reliably handles two-gap/lane responsibilities by squeezing the blocker into one and occupying the other. Rogers has a strong lower body equipped to anchor and hold up at the point of attack versus the run. He has heavy hands and lands punches well. He can displace blockers with his functional strength and power well.
I appreciate his ability and knowledge to strike and stonewall reach blocks on zone runs. Rogers makes his linebackers’ life easier because of how effective he is at occupying blocks. He keeps them clean and limits IOL climbing to the second level of the defense. His linebackers can scrape and flow freely to the football, and fill running lanes.
Rogers is not a three-down defender. His lack of athleticism, twitch, and pass-rush maneuvers does not create a path for success. Although his arms measured in at a solid point, issues still show up on tape when he has to quickly defeat blocks and showcase counter moves. In addition, Rogers’ wingspan limits his ability to tackle from his position at the point of attack, despite being able to flash his colors and force the RB to pivot from his designated lane.
OT: Tyron Smith is no longer the Cowboys left tackle. That is something we haven’t said in a decade. With the All-Pro moving on and no heir-apparent...
