Why signing Chester Rogers makes sense for the Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys’ time in Oxnard is fast approaching, and with that looming in the air, this front office and coaching staff have yet to figure out who’s going to start the season as their primary kick return specialist.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen CeeDee Lamb, Tony Pollard, and Cedrick Wilson all serving in this role. But with the Cowboys trading away Amari Cooper and the loss of Wilson in free agency, Lamb was pushed into the No. 1 receiver role which takes away a potential player to take on the role.

Then, you have Pollard, who the coaching staff wants to give more touches in both the running game and passing game so that removes him from the equation.

We’ve heard that throughout OTA’s and mini camps the Cowboys coaching staff has rotated players at kick returner, trying to figure out which one will give them the best results. But what if that player isn’t on the current roster and the front office decides to look outside for help?

That’s where free agent Chester Rogers comes in. The 28-year-old receiver/kick returner is still available in free agency and would provide the production they want as a return specialist while also giving them depth at the receiver position. Right now, the main receiver helping on special teams is Noah Brown, but that’s mainly as a blocker and making tackles when possible.

Should the Cowboys consider WR Chester Rogers as a free agent addition?

Rogers, on the other hand, has been a pretty solid returner, averaging 9.4 yards per punt return and 13.7 yards per return on kickoffs. That is something Brown would not be able to provide, and I’m sure the team can find another person that would be able to fill Brown’s shoes by blocking and running down returners.

The free agent receiver also provides more of a guarantee at receiver as well. Rogers has been in the league one year longer than Brown, but when you compare their stats at receiver, Rodgers outperforms Brown by a wide margin.

The Cowboys need another veteran receiver and Rogers checks that box as well with 141 receptions for 1,522 yards and six touchdowns. Brown over his career has had just 39 receptions for 425 yards and zero touchdowns. It’s safe to say that having Rogers would give the Cowboys more insurance if the receivers battling for the WR3 slot fail to make an impression on the coaches.

Dallas needs someone who can help in multiple ways and they need to continue to churn the roster to do it. Brown just happens to be the odd man out in this scenario. Let’s hope that this Cowboys front office, in particular John “Bones” Fassel, is willing to look outside of the locker room.