Last but definitely not least on this list is another wide receiver, Amari Rodgers. With uncertainty regarding the future of Isaiah McKenzie in Buffalo, the Bills might have been looking into Rodgers as a potential replacement for that role in 2021. At about 5’10 and 210 pounds, Rodgers is a wide receiver in a running backs body, which honestly bodes well for his outlook in terms of fitting into the McKenzie role in the Buffalo Bills offense.
During his four years playing at Clemson, Rodgers provided value as a punt returner, wide receiver, and even a little bit as a ball-carrier. As a punt returner, Rodgers had 68 career returns for 529 yards and returned one punt for a touchdown. Rodgers didn’t do have a lot of carries at Clemson, but I think that was less about his skillset and more about the talent they had in Travis Etienne. The Tigers really didn’t need to use Rodgers on jet sweeps so much because Etienne was already so efficient on the ground. As a receiver, Rodgers had his best season as a Tiger in 2020 with 1,020 receiving yards and scored 7 touchdowns on 77 receptions.
There is actually some video from Clemson’s pro day of Rodgers doing some running back drills which shows that he is open to the idea of changing positions or at the very least showcasing his versatility. His contact balance at the wide receiver position is extremely rare, so it is worth exploring the idea of him projecting as a receiving running back at the next level.
As it currently sits, Rodgers is projected to be a day three pick, somewhere in round four or five. However, Rodgers has a very versatile skillset with the ability to play running back, line up in the slot, or on the perimeter as a receiver as well as his added value as a punt returner. There’s a chance a team really likes what he brings to the table as a prospect and selects him in round three.
Applying this to the Buffalo Bills, Rodgers projects best into the Isaiah McKenzie role and I’m not sure it would be smart to use third round draft capital on filling that role. If the Bills can acquire a fourth round pick or hope that he slides to the fifth round, that is where Rodgers would give the Bills the most value in the draft.