Can Casey Rogers boost Giants’ defensive line depth?

The New York Giants could use additional depth on their defensive line. Could that provide an opening for undrafted free agent defensive tackle Casey Rogers?

Let’s discuss Rogers as we continue player-by-player profiles of the Giants’ 90-man roster.

The skinny

Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 305
Opening day age: 25
Position: Defensive tackle
Experience: Rookie
Contract: Year 1 of three-year, $2.85 million undrafted free agent deal | 2024 cap hit: $801,666 | Guaranteed at signing: $220,000

Career to date

Rogers played in 46 games over five collegiate seasons, three with Nebraska and two with Oregon. He accumulated just 3.0 sacks to go along with 35 career tackles, 12 for loss.

Here is a scouting report from 33rd Team:

Casey Rogers projects to be a role-playing backup who fits best as a pass rushing 3-tech. He has good natural athleticism and quickness that allows him to generate pressure on slants. He has good short-area agility and a high motor, although he saw a lower number of snaps and stamina is a concern. Rogers plays with a high pad level and his use of hands needs improvement as he can get stuck if his initial attempt is thwarted. He often gets dominated by stronger blockers, and this is compounded on double teams. His tackling form is suspect as he struggles to finish plays, especially without help. He lacks a go-to move in the pass rush and prefers to shoot the gap. On 3rd downs, he can be lined up all over the line to try and find a mismatch, but he will likely be controlling the pocket.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com said this before the draft:

Interior defender who split his college career between Nebraska and Oregon. Rogers lacks NFL size and mass inside but works to the echo of the whistle. He tested at his pro day with very good speed and explosiveness, but he doesn’t put those attributes into play often enough as a run disruptor or pass rusher. He locates the football quickly and can play off blocks to make tackles, but he might lack the size and playmaking ability to keep NFL teams interested.

Rogers was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, but was impressive at a Pro Day workout:

One of the strongest performances of the day came from Rogers, who had a 35-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot-8 broad jump. Rogers would have finished first in the vertical jump at the NFL Combine among defensive tackles and his broad jump would’ve placed him second.

Rogers ran a 4.82 40-yard dash.

The Giants thought enough of Rogers to give him $220,000 in guaranteed money to sign as an undrafted player.

2024 outlook

Veterans Rakeem Nunez-Roches and Jordan Phillips should join Dexter Lawrence on the Giants’ defensive line. Jordon Riley and DJ Davidson are young players drafted by GM Joe Schoen, but neither has done enough to be considered a roster lock.

An impressive summer by Rogers could be enough for him to earn a spot of the 53-man roster or practice squad.