Pittsburgh Steelers: Don’t underestimate Eli Rogers signing

The Steeler have come to terms with Eli Rogers and that is good news for multiple reasons.

For one, the Steelers now have a proven slot receiver in the fold as well as a punt returner. This also signals that Rogers has recovered to an acceptable level after his ACL tear against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the playoffs. The Rogers signing will help in multiple ways.

Rogers gives the Steelers depth at the Receiver Position

Eli Rogers can come in an be depth for the Steelers at the receiver position. Behind Antonio Brown and Juju Smith-Schuster, the Steelers do not have a lot of experienced depth. James Washington can work himself into the #3 receiver role, but it may take some time with him being a rookie. Justin Hunter has had reps with the starters, but he doesn’t have much game experience with the Steelers and was buried on their depth chart last season. Darius Heyward-Bey does have experience, but at this point, he is only a special teams player.

Rogers becomes their punt returner

The Steelers, before signing Rogers, did not have a punt returner. Antonio Brown is too valuable at receiver to be returning punts. Quadree Henderson is an option, but he hasn’t shown enough as a receiver to justify his spot on the roster. Rogers did fumble a punt last year, but other than that has been reliable. I admit I don’t expect him to be a game-changer at the punt returner role, but I do expect him to do the job.

Rogers still has room to grow

This ACL tear has to put a damper in Rogers career, but that doesn’t mean that we have seen the best of Eli Rogers. He is a quick receiver who can get open. He may not get a lot of yards after the catch, but he can help you in the short-to-intermediate passing department. Rogers is still in his fourth year in the league and is still only 25. That tells me that he can develop further.