Packers: Amari Rodgers can be Randall Cobb 2.0 for Green Bay
As we stand less than one month away from the 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland, many fans of the Green Bay Packers are getting excited about potential fits for the team to help them finally get over the hump and win a Super Bowl.
Last year, Packers fans clamored for a wide receiver in what was one of the strongest WR classes of all time. Drafting at least one felt like a formality. The Packers ultimately spent nine picks, and none of them were on receivers.
The upcoming draft also boasts a strong WR class, which is particularly deep on day two. History tells us that’s when the Packers like to grab their pass catchers. Clemson’s Amari Rodgers is one of those guys who may get lost in the shuffle when talking about these day two prospects but he made sure to get Packers fans talking last month.
When asked by about his dream draft scenario at the House of Athlete scouting combine, Amari Rodgers replied, “I’ll say second round to the Packers.” Of course, many receivers share the dream of catching passes from reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers, but Amari feels the scheme suits him too, as he says, “I feel like I could go in there and fit in right away.”
Rodgers can serve two roles in the offense
The Packers undoubtedly have one of the NFL’s best offenses as it is but there is still room for two key types of skill player in my opinion: A true slot receiver, and a gadget player.
What’s great about Amari Rodgers? He can give you both! Eighty-two percent of Rodgers’ snaps last season came in the slot where he showcased excellent footwork, reliable hands and sharp change-of-direction skills.
While Allen Lazard was the Packers primary slot WR in 2020, he is a bigger bodied guy who isn’t truly associated with the things slot WRs do best.
The second part I eluded to was a gadget player. The first thing that strikes you when you stick on Amari Rodgers’ tape is his frame. At 5-foot-10, 210 pounds, Amari is built like a running back.
It shows up in his play style too. Rodgers is a threat with the ball in his hands, he possesses excellent contact balance, and he fights through contact.
All of these traits make Rodgers a brilliant option to be frequently put in motion at the snap and used on jet sweeps/end arounds in the Packers offense.
The majority of creative offensive strategists love having a guy who can make things happen simply by getting the ball in his hands. Kyle Shanahan has two of them in Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.
For Packers HC Matt LaFleur, he experimented a little with Tavon Austin last season but Austin’s lack of ability as a true slot receiver limited his value on the field. Whereas Amari Rodgers offers both the receiving aspect and the gadget aspect, suiting the Packers to a tee.
The second coming of Randall Cobb?
The Packers haven’t had a true slot receiver since Randall Cobb departed after the 2018 season. Cobb was beloved by Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, and was very productive on the field, averaging over 70 yards per game between 2012-2018.
Over his entire Packers career, around 82 percent of Cobb’s snaps where in the slot, which is exactly the same as Rodgers’ snap distribution at Clemson.
The comparisons don’t stop there. While Amari is around 25 pounds heavier than Cobb, they both posted very similar pre-draft testing numbers. Cobb clocked a 4.46 40-yard dash back in 2011, while Rodgers ran an unofficial 4.45 at his pro day in March.
Both receivers also logged identical vertical jumps at 33.5 inches. So athletically, the comparisons between the two are strikingly similar.
At Clemson’s pro day, when asked about how he compared to the former Packer, Rodgers told reporters, “I definitely see myself as a Randall Cobb-type of player being used in the slot, jet sweeps, and the return game as well.”
The Packers need a return man
Finally, Rodgers proves to be a valuable commodity on special teams serving as a punt returner. The Packers went through four punt returners last season, and only one of them remains on the roster (Josh Jackson).
As a whole they were one of the worst special teams units in the NFL, and their punt return unit was the worst of the worst. Their longest return of the season went for a measly 11 yards.
Amari Rodgers fielded 144 total punts in his four years at Clemson, returning 68 of them. His average of 7.7 return yards is pretty decent for college standards.
The Packers have tons of day two options at WR in this year’s draft class and if they decide to draft one at pick 62, Rodgers may be the pick of the bunch. Put #18 on him and it’ll be like our beloved Cobbie never left!