Raiders' Caleb Rogers wants to do with Maxx Crosby what many rookies have hoped for but failed to do
When the Las Vegas Raiders headed into the 2025 NFL Draft, most knew that there would likely be an offensive guard drafted to play in Las Vegas. We all did mock drafts with several different combinations of what round we all thought they would take a guard. Not many people had the Raiders drafting Caleb […]
When the Las Vegas Raiders headed into the 2025 NFL Draft, most knew that there would likely be an offensive guard drafted to play in Las Vegas. We all did mock drafts with several different combinations of what round we all thought they would take a guard.
Not many people had the Raiders drafting Caleb Rogers, the Texas Tech guard, just before taking Charles Grant. And, that's just because he was never the big flashy name that we all knew or wanted. That doesn't mean he is a bad player or a bad fit, though.
In fact, he can be a very good player for the Raiders. He has some great potential, is a very versatile player, and has shown some great traits in both the run and the passing game. Rogers can be a cornerstone piece of an already young offensive line if all goes well.
But most importantly, he fits that Raider way. Rogers plays with a nastiness that relishes the old Raiders players everyone loved to watch play. He has energy, the energy that reflects what guys like Maxx Crosby feed off of. His play style and energy are an exact fit.
"I would describe my play style as fast, relentless, aggressive, and versatile. I mean, I know they're bringing me in to hopefully play some interior, but I also want to be able to be some guy that they can have on the edge if they need it. So, I want to be a guy that brings a lot of juice," Rogers told reporters after he was drafted.
"I'm excited to be around another guy who loves the game as much as Maxx Crosby. I want to be able to match that intensity every single day, be a guy that's in the building unlike anybody else, and just help further the culture, help further the team, and just be a cornerstone for this team as we go through. No matter what my role is, I just want to be a guy that's important for this team and show that the Raiders culture is something that cannot be diminished or cannot be fought against."
The thing about Rogers, though, is that he said he wants to match Crosby's energy and juice. Many rookies have come through and said that, and many have failed. You cannot match what that dude brings, not as a rookie adjusting to everything that's now new in your life. But that's just because Crosby is a different breed. Crosby has said it himself many times — dudes come in and want to work out with him and match everything he does, but they never last.
I guess my message here is that Rogers should just come in and be himself. Yes, have energy, but don't think you're going to outdo Crosby, because it won't happen. And, don't even put those expectations on yourself to have that same energy he has every single day, because no one expects you to.
Put the work in, and get better. There's no need to prove yourself to anyone. But hey, if you do somehow manage to show up with the same energy Crosby does every single day, more power to you.
Las Vegas Raiders rookie is trying to tell the world why one perception of him is completely wrong
The Raiders will need him to prove it.
