Draft Analysis: Amari Rodgers

March 30, 2021 /
  • Height: 5’9″
  • Weight: 211
  • College: Clemson
  • Tape watched: Notre Dame, Pitt, Virginia
  • NFL Comparison: Deebo Samuel

Pros

  • YAC
    Rodgers is fun to watch with the ball in his hands. He almost always slips his first would-be-tackler, and bursts to the second level of the defense. He is not afraid of contact either. Rodgers will be a great addition to the slot of NFL teams, especially those that rely on creating catch and run opportunities for their receivers.
  • Deep Threat
    Amari Rodgers has the speed and deep route running skills to be a big play receiver in the NFL. He worked well through contact at the top of deep routes and showed he can stack defenders.
A great job by Rodgers fighting back to protect the quarterbacks throw-line.
  • Versatility
    Creative coaches will love Rodgers, as he brings the ability to play inside, outside, and as a kick returner. He also took running back reps at his pro day. Teams can look at Rodgers as an offensive weapon, rather than a slot receiver where he has had most of his success.

Cons

  • Contested Catches
    For a receiver that plays a lot of his game in the middle of the field, Rodgers needs to polish his ability to catch the football in traffic. Often times drops were a result of trying to tuck the ball towards contact. He can take his eyes off of the ball anticipating defenders too soon as well. The talent is there to clean most of this up, Rodgers just needs to be more consistent.
  • Route Running
    For the most part, Amari Rodgers has a good feel of what coverages he is facing. He was able to find soft spots in zone coverage and be a reliable read for his quarterbacks. His route running issues are mostly through his stem, and how he sets up defenders. He can become too patient feeling the cornerbacks movements out. He mentioned improving on this at his pro day as well. He also can jab step himself to death and not move corners off their marks. Contact disrupted him a decent amount, but he has shown enough tape to ensure he can be more consistent in that area.
Rodgers takes too long to set up his route break on what looks to be a smash (hitch on the outside, corner from the slot) concept. By the time he gets to the top of his stem, the corner has not sold out to where Rodgers can come free. He does draw the DPI penalty however, so he was able to do enough for a positive play. You would like to see him get through his route break though.

Overview

Amari Rodgers finds himself in a loaded slot-receiver draft class. What will separate him from the rest is his top level ability to make plays after the catch, and his football IQ. The route combinations and reads he made in Clemson’s offense are close to concepts he will be asked of in the NFL. He can become more dominant at the catch point and have more of a plan against off-man coverage. His route breaks are effective and the more he can show his burst and speed the better.