Undrafted Free Agent Da’Rick Rogers Signs With Buffalo Bills

Nov 19, 2011; Knoxville,TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Da

Da’Rick Rogers was one of eight former Tennessee Volunteers that we predicated to be drafted. Unfortunately for Rogers, he didn’t hear his name called during the seven round NFL draft this past weekend.

The talented former Vol was passed over by all 32 teams due to his off-the-field issues. Rogers acknowledged during the interview process at the combine that he failed three drug tests while at Tennessee, but said he had since passed 10 drug tests while at Tennessee Tech.

Tyrann Mathieu, another prospect with a troubled past that included drug use, wasn’t affected by the off-the-field issues like Rogers. The Arizona Cardinals selected Mathieu with the 69th overall selection in the draft.

The only explanation for the fall of Da’Rick Rogers is that teams must have heard, or seen, something during the interview process that completely scared them away. Even then it’s a bit of a surprise when a team like the Cleveland Browns gives up a second round pick in order to draft Josh Gordon in the supplemental draft last summer. Gordon was a guy with character issues that was out of football for a complete season.

Several draft analysts, including Mike Mayock of NFL Network, thought that Rogers was a first round talented. Several analysts also thought he was the most NFL ready of the receivers coming out of Tennessee.

The Buffalo Bills also drafted wide receiver Robert Woods out of California in the second round. Both Rogers and Woods were probably the most complete receivers in the NFL draft this season. The Bills don’t have many consistent options at wide receiver, only Stevie Johnson.

There’s plenty of room in Buffalo for both Woods and Rogers. As an undrafted free agent Rogers will definitely have less wiggle room with the Bills, but he’s got more than enough talent to be lining up at wide receiver this fall for the Bills.