2021 Senior Bowl: Amari Rodgers elevating his 2021 NFL Draft stock

Amari Rodgers. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

Amari Rodgers fits the mold of wide receiver that has shone so far this week at the Senior Bowl. It has been an excellent couple of days for smaller receivers with twitchiness and the versatility to play multiple positions, with Rodgers’ performances in Mobile potentially moving him up the draft boards of wide receiver needy teams.

Rodgers headed into Senior Bowl week likely as a late day two or early day-three selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, despite a senior season with Clemson that saw him catch 77 passes for 1,020 yards and seven touchdowns.

But after showcasing the best of his diverse skillset through the first two days of practice, he can afford to have hopes of going earlier.

Indeed, Rodgers has proven a near-impossible cover for defenders. Though the odds in one on one drills are stacked heavily in favor of the receivers, the way in which Rodgers has shone with his suddenness and his ability to create separation with his stem and with intelligent usage of his hands has consistently stood out.

Perhaps even more impressive is Rodgers’ ability to highpoint the football. A receiver who measured under 5ft 10in at weigh-ins, Rodgers has proven he can leap over defenders and come down with the ball.

How this translates to draft stock of Amari Rodgers

These are all traits he demonstrated during his time at Clemson, but the fact he is using them to dominate elite competition on the practice field in front of NFL scouts and executives can only help his cause in a deep wide receiver class.

As a diminutive but multi-faceted receiver who can be moved around the field and do substantial damage with the ball in his hands, Rodgers plays a role that is becoming increasingly valuable at the highest level.

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Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network summarizes the pros and cons of Rodgers:

"“Rodgers profiles best as a slot receiver at the NFL level. Clemson uses him often in the slot. There, Rodgers can get into space easily, and once in space, he has a lethal combination of burst and balance that makes him one of the draft’s best YAC weapons.The issues with projections stem from Rodgers’ size and catching consistency. The Clemson wide receiver has improved with drops this year, but they still show up occasionally. And while his vertical athleticism and toughness give him a fighting chance in contested situations, his length can hurt him against more disruptive cornerbacks.”"

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He has demonstrated that he can excel on the biggest stages in college football and is doing so again for a pro audience in Mobile. Through his well-rounded game and success in elevating at the catch point, Rodgers is giving his draft stock an early lift.

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