INDIANAPOLIS – Eight different Colts had more catches than Chester Rogers last season.
But when first-year wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal began dissecting film of his new position group this past spring, the guy No. 9 on the receptions' list for the Colts last season had his full attention.
"Chester jumped off the tape," Lal said of the 19-grab rookie season Rogers had, after leading the Colts in receptions during the 2016 preseason.
Lal has now seen Rogers up close for an entire offseason program.
It was in the spring when Chris Ballard, who was also getting his first look at Rogers, continually praised the 2016 undrafted free agent.
What Lal saw on film, has now shown up in-person, too.
"Chester has no fear," Lal says. "Nothing is too big for him. You can move him inside, outside. He's an exciting young player."
Is the early lead on the No. 3 wide receiver position too big for Rogers?
Doesn't appear that way after a couple of Training Camp practices.
Some undrafted free agents would be pleased with just making the team as a rookie.
Rogers?
He wanted more out of that first year.
"My rookie season I was disappointed in it because I could have done a lot better," Rogers says of a role that primarily was special teams until later in the season.
"Coming into my second year, I've got a lot of expectations. I set them really high. I plan to do big things here."
Andrew Luck clearly felt comfortable looking to Rogers last year. The duo hooked up for seven catches in 11 targets over the final three weeks of 2016.
Playing under the bright lights of the NFL is not the only spotlight Rogers has had in his life.
A childhood actor, Rogers moved to Hollywood for four years as a kid.
When the Colts return to Hollywood for the 2017 regular season opener, they could very well be counting quite a lot on the former actor.
The casting call at wide receiver is long and talented.
And that's just fine with Rogers.
"It's competition," Rogers says. "That's football. I said back in the spring, if you are scared of competition, you shouldn't be here."
The analysis from those producing content on Colts.com does not necessarily represent the thoughts of the Indianapolis Colts organization. Any conjecture, analysis or opinions formed by Colts.com content creators is not based on inside knowledge gained from team officials, players or staff.
