Draft Information by: Years, Teams, Positions

Justin Rogers (SMU) - 2007 NFL Draft Pick #180 by NE

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Pre-Draft Analysis for Justin Rogers (SMU)

Position: Cornerback
College: Southern Methodist University (SMU)
Draft Year: 2007

Overview:

Justin Rogers was a standout cornerback at SMU, known for his exceptional speed, agility, and ball skills. As a player, he demonstrated the ability to match up against top receivers and was recognized for his playmaking ability in the secondary.

Strengths:

• Speed and Agility: Rogers possesses impressive straight-line speed, allowing him to keep up with fast receivers. His agility makes him effective in changing directions quickly.
• Ball Skills: He has a knack for making plays on the ball, showcasing solid hands and the ability to intercept passes.
• Coverage Ability: Rogers is adept in both man and zone coverage, demonstrating good footwork and technique to stay with receivers.
• Work Ethic: Known for his dedication to improving his game, Rogers has consistently worked on his skills and conditioning.

Areas for Improvement:

• Physicality: While Rogers has the speed to keep up with receivers, he can struggle against more physical players and may need to improve his press coverage techniques.
• Tackling Technique: He has been criticized for his tackling, which can be inconsistent at times. Improving his technique will be crucial at the next level.
• Experience: While he had a solid collegiate career, some scouts noted that he could benefit from more experience against top-tier competition.

Projection:

Justin Rogers was projected to be selected in the mid to late rounds of the 2007 NFL Draft. His combination of speed and coverage skills made him an intriguing prospect for teams looking to bolster their secondary. With the right coaching and development, he could become a valuable contributor at the professional level.

Conclusion:

Justin Rogers showcased the potential to be a productive cornerback in the NFL. While he had areas to improve upon, his athleticism and ball skills made him a player to watch heading into the draft.