Round 5 – 146th overall
Wide Receiver Amari Rodgers – Clemson
With the fifth round pick I acquired in the trade back with the New York Jets I drafted former Clemson Tiger wide receiver Amari Rodgers. Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane was reportedly at the Clemson pro day on March 11th, and I suspect the Bills had their eyes on him. Furthermore, I have already highlighted Rodgers as a potential replacement for Isaiah McKenzie in the draft, should the Bills decide to let McKenzie walk in free agency.
At 5’10” and about 210 pounds, Rodgers was a very productive collegiate wide receiver playing in a running back’s body. His frame gives him rare contact balance for the receiver position and allowed him to break arm tackles more easily than others.
Rodgers really came into his own this past season recording 1,020 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns on 77 receptions in 2020. He primarily operated out of the slot at Clemson but still had a small amount of production as a perimeter receiver. Rodgers is a yards after the catch machine who really thrived in his role as the target on bubble screens at Clemson.
More than just a receiver, Rodgers even participated in some running back drills during Clemson’s pro day to showcase his versatility. Furthermore, he was a productive punt returner in college with 68 career returns for 529 yards and one punt returned for a touchdown.