Tag: Amari Rodgers

Packers film review: Amari Rodgers will be a lot of fun in Green Bay

Breaking down what the Green Bay Packers are getting in third-round pick Amari Rodgers, a rookie review from Clemson.

Knowing they needed to take a wide receiver at some point during the 2021 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers used a third-round pick to select Amari Rodgers out of Clemson. Originally slated to pick at 92, the Packers traded up to select Rodgers at 85, showing just how much they coveted the productive receiver out of the ACC.

In four years at Clemson, Rodgers logged 181 receptions, 2,144 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns. He was named first-team all-conference in 2020 after posting career highs in catches, yards, and touchdowns. Rodgers also showed value on special teams, returning 68 punts for 529 yards and one touchdown. Now Green Bay expects Rodgers to bring his wide range of skillsets to the NFL.

At only 5-9 tall, you can expect Rodgers to take a bulk of his snaps from the slot. However, Rodgers has a very compact build, almost built like a running back at 212 pounds.

”When you see him, when you get up on him, he’s not a small man. He’s just not tall,” said general manager Brian Gutekunst.

Before taking Rodgers, the Packers targeted a specific type of wide receiver in previous years. Usually, you had to be tall, long, and fast. However, Rodgers is short and stubby with decent speed and better quickness. He’s a different type of receiver that Green Bay’s offense has been lacking since Randall Cobb. Yes, finally, a Randall Cobb-type back in green and gold.

Today, we are going in-depth on Rodgers’ film from Clemson. Hopefully, to get a better understanding of what he will bring to Matt LaFleur’s offense. Let’s dig in.

First, let’s talk speed. Rodgers ran in the 4.5s at his pro day, but that shouldn’t be much of a concern. He’s quicker than fast, but a lack of speed is definitely not a knock against his game.

On this vertical concept, Rodgers has nearly five yards of separation. If a corner is caught flat-footed, he is going to make them pay.

Here’s another similar route concept that gets Rodgers in an advantageous position using his speed. Notice how when the ball is nearing, he is able to generate late separation to make for an easier catch. Some impressive acceleration helps Rodgers avoid a contested catch, but he still showed tremendous athleticism to haul this is.

From a mental standpoint, Rodgers is a very smart player. Coaches rave about his work ethic, and it’s obvious that he takes his craft very seriously. Early in his career, Rodgers understands coverages and how to attack them. Here against zone, he runs a spot route over the middle and nestles in. On third and short, this is how you move the chains.

Another example of Rodgers beating zone. Rodgers is in no hurry, so Trevor Lawrence can get to his rollout and make an on-time throw. Meanwhile, Rodgers is running an out route at the perfect pace to get into the soft spot between the corner and safety. This type of awareness will come in handy whether it be on-script or off-script.

Rodgers definitely fits the mold for the gadget role previously held by Tyler Ervin. He was implemented in a lot of creative ways at Clemson, including quick screens, end arounds, and more. LaFleur should have no problem finding ways to get Rodgers the ball.

A simple, but effective bubble screen. Rodgers catches the ball and wastes no time getting downhill. He’s an effective runner that shows good play strength and competitive toughness to fight for every yard when he has the ball. In this aspect, he truly has the mindset of a running back.

Another great example of Rodgers in the quick game with a nice stiff arm at the end. Packers fans are going to love his ability to break tackles.

This gadget play has LaFleur written all over it. Misdirection and the illusion of complexity.

Does this remind you of anyone? As we can see, Rodgers has decent wiggle after the catch. The Packers’ ability to create yards after the catch will improve immediately with Rodgers in the offense. Also, these last few plays have shown us what Rodgers might be able to do as a punt returner. Using his play strength and agility, he can run through arm tackles, juke a guy with minimal space, and even throw a stiff arm.

We’ve seen a little bit of Rodgers’ ability as a route-runner, and honestly, it’s one of the most intriguing parts of his game. He can quickly get out of his breaks and run crisp routes.

Exhibit A:

Not every pass is going to be on the money, and Rodgers has shown the ability to pluck balls outside his frame. Here’s an example in the clip below.

We’ve also seen Rodgers showcase great body control. He’s comfortable leaving his feet and making incredible grabs like this:

There’s definitely a scenario where Rodgers makes a back-shoulder grab like the one above during his time in Green Bay. Just an awesome display of athleticism and concentration.

Above are a couple of examples of Rodgers as a blocker. He’s got some good tools, but he’s not overly polished as he runs into problems with hand placement, body positioning, and footwork. But man, it says a lot about a guy who is willing to compete as a blocker at his size. This type of attitude and effort will bode well for Rodgers at the next level.

It’s time to talk about some downsides. Rodgers isn’t a perfect player. For one, he doesn’t have a ton of experience consistently beating press coverage. His length certainly puts him at a disadvantage. Issues with length also hinder him in contested catch situations. Above we see Rodgers do a nice job shielding his body away from the defender, but at the catch point, the ball is knocked away. Rodgers’ lack of arm length could cause problems for him when he isn’t able to separate.

This would have been an extremely tough catch, but it was catchable – and longer arms probably would have helped. If Rodgers can continue to get stronger at the catch point, he is going to be that much more effective as a downfield threat.

Upon reviewing his film, it’s not hard to see why the Packers were intrigued by a wide receiver of Rodgers’ skillset. He’s unlike what they have targeted in recent years and that should excite fans, as he should be their first true slot presence since Cobb. Early on, it won’t be hard for LaFleur to find ways to implement him in the offense with simple designs and occasional gadget plays. This will maximize Rodgers’ playmaking and allow him to fill a similar role he served in college. In his rookie year, Rodgers could make a decent impact, but as he continues to learn the offense and adjust to the size and speed of other NFL players, he has a good chance of developing into an exceedingly versatile weapon with a bright future.

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Packers see rookie WR Amari Rodgers as ‘complete football player’

Amari Rodgers’ versatility has the Packers believing he can be a complete player for Matt LaFleur.

The Green Bay Packers don’t feel the need to categorize rookie wide receiver Amari Rodgers as a niche player, even if the third-round pick looks perfect for very specific roles in his new football home.

Coach Matt LaFleur and the Packers see Rodgers as a “complete football player” who can play every receiver position, handle blocking assignments and gadget roles and contribute on special teams.

“He’s a legitimate receiver whether we use him on the outside or in the slot. He’s got return ability. He could potentially be a dual returner for us. I think he’s a complete football player,” LaFleur said following the draft.

Rodgers played a number of different roles at Clemson, including in the slot, in the backfield, on the perimeter and as a returner. He’s experienced getting the ball in space and creating yards on manufactured touches, but also running routes from a variety of alignments and blocking for others.

“His versatility is huge in this offense. His ability on first and second down to go outside, he’s got a good build him. The expectation is on the run downs to be able to dig out safeties and corners, to be a premier blocker,” LaFleur said. “And when he gets the ball in his hands, he’s pretty dynamic. You can use him a lot of different ways. Whether it’s on jet motion or in the passing game, he’s a really good route runner. He’s just a complete football player. He’s got great play strength and he’s proved it over the course of his career at Clemson.”

Rodgers finished his Clemson career ranked sixth in school history in catches (181). He also produced 2,777 all-purpose yards and scored 17 touchdowns. According to the school, he’s just the fifth Clemson player since 2000 to score a touchdown as a receiver, runner and punt returner.

The Packers could use Rodgers in the slot, on gadget plays and in the return game, making him a potential answer to three openings within the offense and special teams. Think a mix between Randall Cobb and Tyler Ervin, but in Ty Montgomery’s body.

No wonder the Packers gave up a fourth-round pick to move up seven slots in the third round and get him.

“He fills so many holes for us. That’s one of the reasons why we traded up for him,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said. “Not only as a punt returner and a slot receiver, but the creativity that Matt has within his offense. The jet sweeps, and screens. He’s a 212-pound receiver, he’s not one of these smaller guys. So I think kick returning could be part of his arsenal as well. He’s just built for us up here in Green Bay. Very versatile player. Very smart player.”

The Packers often used running back Tyler Ervin as the gadget player and returner over the last two seasons. In Rodgers, the Packers now have a similar type of player, but with far more receiving potential. The No. 1 scoring offense in football from a year ago has added a brand new dimension.

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2021 NFL draft: Rookies that played high school football in Tennessee

2021 NFL draft: Breakdown of players that competed in Tennessee high school football

The 2021 NFL draft concluded with two players selected from the University of Tennessee.

Wide receiver Josh Palmer was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the third round, and offensive lineman Trey Smith went to Kansas City in the sixth round.

The 2021 NFL draft had five players selected that finished their high school careers in Tennessee.

Below is a look at the drafted players who competed and finished their careers in Tennessee high school football before playing collegiately.

Packers rookies Josh Myers, Amari Rodgers were both college captains

Myers, the Packers’ second-round pick, was voted a 2020 team captain by Ohio State. The same goes for Rodgers, the Packers third-round pick, who was voted a permanent captain by Clemson. 

An overlooked aspect of the work done by the Green Bay Packers during Day 2 of the 2021 NFL draft: With back-to-back picks, the Packers were able to select team captains from two of the biggest and best programs in college football

Offensive lineman Josh Myers and receiver Amari Rodgers were both captains for teams that played in the College Football Playoffs in 2020.

Myers helped lead the Buckeyes to another Big Ten title and an appearance in the National Title game, while Rodgers and Clemson won an ACC title but were upended by Myers and Ohio State in the semis.

“Two really high-quality individuals, really good young men that I think will fit really well with our team and locker room,” Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said after picking the pair on Friday night.

Myers, the Packers’ second-round pick, was voted a 2020 team captain by Ohio State. The same goes for Rodgers, the Packers third-round pick, who was voted a permanent captain by Clemson.

Good football players get drafted, but good leaders are named captains. The Packers believe they received a mix of both in Myers and Rodgers, two players likely headed for impactful roles as rookies.

Myers will attempt to fill the shoes of Corey Linsley, a first-team All-Pro and the Packers’ starting seven for the last seven seasons. Leadership at the center position is pivotal, given the ball-handling responsibilities on every play and pre-snap communication completed with the quarterback before every snap.

Rodgers could play a role on both offense and special teams. He has the skillset to handle the slot and return punts and kicks, and with 55 career games played with Clemson and a professional way about him, Rodgers should be ready for a plateful of responsibilities as a first-year player.

It’s worth noting that both rookies played with first-round quarterbacks selected in the 2021 draft: Myers and Justin Fields, and Rodgers and Trevor Lawrence. Regardless of how the quarterback situation unfolds in Green Bay both Myers and Rodgers will be playing with another first-round passer.

Also, fifth-round pick Shemar Jean-Charles was also a captain at Appalachian State in 2020.

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Dream comes true for psychic Packers WR Amari Rodgers

Scouting report on Packers rookie WR Amari Rodgers: Slot weapon. Tackle-breaker. And psychic, apparently.

Can new Green Bay Packers receiver Amari Rodgers see the future? Back in March, the 85th overall pick in the 2021 draft and former Clemson star looked into his crystal ball and had a moment of precognition.

Or maybe he willed his preferred future into existence.

Asked about his dream draft scenario by former NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall at the 2021 House of Athlete Scouting Combine Showcase, Rodgers said: “I’ll say second round to the Packers.”

Talk about a dream come true. And Rodgers was this close to getting it exactly right. General manager Brian Gutekunst confirmed the team was ready to pick Rodgers or Ohio State’s Josh Myers at No. 62 overall in the second round, but the Packers went with the talented center first. Soon after, Gutekunst had his scouts back on the phones, calling teams and trying to trade up to get Rodgers, a player they clearly felt was a second-round talent.

Finally, the Packers found a suitor. It took a fourth-round pick, but the Packers moved up seven spots from No. 92 to No. 85 to get Rodgers in the third round.

He could be a dream player for the Packers.

“He fills so many holes for us,” Gutekunst said. “That’s one of the reasons why we traded up for him. Not only as a punt returner and a slot receiver, but the creativity that Matt has within his offense. The jet sweeps, and screens. He’s a 212-pound receiver, he’s not one of these smaller guys. So I think kick returning could be part of his arsenal as well. He’s just built for us up here in Green Bay. Very versatile player. Very smart player.”

That’s a strong scouting report on Rodgers. Punt returner, slot receiver, gadget weapon, good size, strong, versatile, smart. He’s all those things. Gutekunst’s assessment is missing just one thing: Rodgers is also apparently psychic.

Maybe the Packers rookie receiver can give his new general manager some insight on the future of a certain disgruntled quarterback.

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Why the Packers traded up to get WR Amari Rodgers

The Packers nearly took Clemson WR Amari Rodgers at No. 62, so they aggressively worked the board to move up and get him at 85.

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The Green Bay Packers had a decision to make at No. 62 overall: take the potential plug-and-play center from Ohio State, or the versatile slot weapon from Clemson.

The Packers decided on Josh Myers, with his size and multiple-position ability for the offensive line serving as the tiebreaker. But even after making the pick, general manager Brian Gutekunst wasn’t ready to give up on getting Amari Rodgers. He immediately ordered his staff to start making calls and finding ways to move up the board and get the Clemson playmaker.

The process took a while, but it finally clicked. The Packers moved up seven spots in the third round, at the steep cost of a fourth-round pick, and snagged Rodgers at No. 85 overall.

To say the Packers were happy to get him would probably be an understatement. The team thinks Rodgers can be an impact player for the Packers – on offense and special teams – right away.

“His pedigree, his performance in college at a big-time stage were things that comforted us and feeling like he could step in and be a productive player for us early in his career,” Gutekunst said.

Gutekunst and his staff were enamored with Rodgers’ fit in the Matt LaFleur offense. He said the Packers have been looking for this type of player – a dynamic playmaker in the slot – for at least the last two years.

“He fills so many holes for us,” Gutekunst said. “That’s one of the reasons we traded up for him. Not only as a punt returner and slot receiver, but as you guys have seen over the past few years, the creativity that Matt has within his offense, some of the jet sweeps and screens. He’s a 212-pound receiver, he’s not one of these smaller guys. So I think kick returning could be part of his arsenal as well. He’s just built for us up here in Green Bay. Very versatile plyer. Very smart player.”

In many ways, Rodgers is a Randall Cobb-type player, although Gutekunst wouldn’t go into comparing the two.

Gutekunst said Rodgers has “been a pro from an early age” and is a “polished route-runner.” The Packers also like that he’s been through a major injury (ACL in 2019) and came back stronger, noting the value in having players that have gone through adversity before entering the NFL.

Rodgers stands 5-9, far shorter than most of the receivers the Packers have drafted in the recent past, but Gutekunst has no worries about his size, and he’s especially excited about the way Rodgers uses his power and elusiveness to create the ball in his hands.

“This guy is short but he’s not small. He’s 212 pounds,” Gutekunst said. “When you see him, he’s not a small man, he’s just not tall. I do think he’s a little different than some of the other slot guys around the league. He’s built more like a running back. He gave me great comfort because you can’t run by everybody in this league. You have to take on contact and break tackles and he can certainly do that.”

Rodgers caught an ACC-high 77 passes in 2020. He first broke out as an impact player at the young age of 19 at Clemson, helping the Tigers as a slot receiver and punt returner. Still only 21, Rodgers has 55 games of collegiate experience under his belt entering the NFL.

Gutekunst had to give up one of his fourth-round picks to move up seven spots in the third round and get him. The Packers still have a fourth-rounder to use on Saturday, but Gutekunst paid a pretty penny to move up and get Rodgers.

“I thought it was important because of the value of the player I wanted,” Gutekunst said.

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Packers hand out new uniform numbers to Josh Myers, Amari Rodgers

Josh Myers is getting No. 71, while Amari Rodgers is getting a special new number.

The Green Bay Packers handed out uniform numbers to their two Day 2 picks in the 2021 NFL draft.

Second-round pick Josh Myers will wear his college number in Green Bay, while third-round pick Amari Rodgers will take advantage of a new NFL rule and wear a special number.

Myers is getting the No. 71, the same number he wore at Ohio State.

Offensive tackle Rick Wagner wore the number last season. He was released in February.

Rodgers will wear No. 8 thanks to a new league rule that now allows other skill positions to wear single-digit numbers.

Backup quarterback Tim Boyle wore No. 8 last season. He departed in free agency.

With retired numbers, unofficially retired numbers and currently occupied numbers, No. 8 was the only single-digit number available with the Packers. Rodgers wore No. 3 while at Clemson.

First-round pick Eric Stokes will wear No. 21.

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Packers GM describes process of picking Josh Myers, Amari Rodgers

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst spoke to the media after selecting offensive lineman Josh Myers and receiver Amari Rodgers during Day 2 of the 2021 NFL draft.

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst spoke to the media after selecting offensive lineman Josh Myers and receiver Amari Rodgers during Day 2 of the 2021 NFL draft.

He described each player at length and dove into the process that went into taking the pair on Friday night.

Here’s a collection of quotes from Gutekunst on the picks:

– On the pair: “Two really high-quality individuals, really good young men that I think will fit really well with our team and locker room.”

– On Myers: “Really versatile guy that can play anywhere inside. Two-year starter at center. Captain…Josh is a 6-5, 310-pound center. He’s very very smart. Very very strong. He played at a high level at Ohio State for a couple years there.”

– On Rodgers: “Amari, son of a coach. He’s been a pro from an early age. Polished route runner.”

– On Rodgers’ versatility: “He fills so many holes for us. That’s one of the reasons why we traded up for him. Not only as a punt returner and a slot receiver, but the creativity that Matt has within his offense. The jet sweeps, and screens. He’s a 212-pound receiver, he’s not one of these smaller guys. So I think kick returning could be part of his arsenal as well. He’s just built for us up here in Green Bay. Very versatile plyer. Very smart player.”

– On drafting a shorter receiver: “It has to do with Matt’s creativity and using some of these different body types. This guy is short but he’s not small. He’s 212 pounds. When you see him, he’s not a small man, he’s just not tall. I do think he’s a little different than some of the other slot guys around the league. He’s built more like a running back. He gave me great comfort because you can’t run by everybody in this league. You have to take on contact and break tackles and he can certainly do that.”

– On Myers potentially starting: “He was one of the centers that kind of ran the show there. He’s a little bit bigger than some of the centers we’ve had here, which I like.”

– On No. 62: “It came down to Josh and Amari. We went with Josh, being a center and a big guy. I immediately turned around to see if we could get back up to get Amari…we were trying pretty significantly to get up and get him, took us a little while, longer than we wanted to. We paid a little bit of a price but I thought it was important because of the value of the player I wanted.”

– On first three picks: “The three players we took over the last two days, the stars aligned a little bit for us with some of the things that were important to acquire in this draft. We feel really good about the first two days.”

– On overcoming injuries: “We’re always looking for guys who have had some adversity. Have they been able to overcome adversity and get to the other side? Looking at those two guys and what they’ve overcome, it gives you faith that they can handle the ups and down of the NFL.”

– On Amari’s athleticism: “He hit most of the things we were looking for in the role he will play for us. His pedigree, his performance in college at a big-time stage were things that comforted us and feeling like he could step in and be a productive player for us early in his career.”

– On taking Myers: “His size, his athleticism, his power, how smart he is, what they asked him to do at Ohio State, understanding he could handle that stuff here, that was intriguing to us. He just fit what we’re all about.”

Browns 2021 draft: A wide receiver for every round

A wide receiver prospect for all 7 rounds of the 2021 NFL draft with an eye for the Cleveland Browns fits

The latest in the series of potential targets for the Cleveland Browns in the 2021 NFL draft features the wide receivers.

It’s a deep class with ready-made contributors available for every type of receiver. The Browns don’t necessarily need a wide receiver in 2021 with Odell Beckham Jr. coming back healthy, Jarvis Landry still playing very well, a freshly re-signed Rashard Higgins and promising young Donovan Peoples-Jones already on the roster. But they have some long-term needs, and this is a class that could fill those needs.

Browns 2021 draft: A pass rusher for every round

The players listed here are slotted based upon the latest draft projections as of April 22nd.

Mel Kiper, Todd McShay combine to mock CB, WR to Cardinals

The two ESPN draft gurus alternate picks. The Arizona Cardinals land a top cornerback and a slot receiver in this NFL mock draft.

Because the NFL draft is a little more than a week away, there will be a flood of final mock drafts. The latest is a collaboration from ESPN’s Mel Kiper and Todd McShay. They alternate picks playing GM for each team for three rounds.

The Cardinals do not currently have a third-round pick, we get a look at two players who get the call from them.

Check out the picks below.