Rogers caught 87 balls for 1,448 yards and 10 touchdowns in his lone CFL season with the Calgary Stampeders in 2015.

Coach Chip Kelly brought Rogers in for a workout when he was with the Philadelphia Eagles. A dozen more NFL clubs also inquired about signing the Glendora, Calif., native. But it was Rogers' familiarity with Kelly that made the difference when he signed with the 49ers on Jan. 20 of this offseason.

Rogers' impressive wingspan was noticeable at the team's open OTA session on Tuesday. He caught several intermediate and deep passes, all while showcasing his ability to secure possession in crowded areas.

"When the ball's in the air, it's mine," Rogers explained. "I don't like negative plays."

As one of 12 wideouts on San Francisco's current roster, Rogers is in the mix to earn a significant role opposite of returning starter, Torrey Smith.

"I like their energy," Kelly said of his receivers prior to the start of OTAs. "I think there's a group that brings a lot of juice every single day we are out there. There's a lot of athleticism out there and will continue to gain experience as we get moving forward with them. They've been great so far."

So while starting roles will be sorted out based on performances in training camp practices and preseason games, Rogers can take some solace in knowing that he's developing into a viable option for the 49ers.

It's quite the story when you consider the route that he ran to the Bay Area.