Packers trade up seven spots in third round for Clemson receiver Amari Rodgers
Amari Rodgers #AmariRodgers
Clemson wide receiver Amari Rodgers fends off Notre Dame safety Shaun Crawford as he runs for a first down during the first half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship Dec. 19, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. The Packers traded up to select Rodgers with the No. 85 selection in the 2021 NFL draft Friday night.
BRIAN BLANCO, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
JASON WILDE For the State Journal
Amari Rodgers bears some resemblance to Randall Cobb. If the Green Bay Packers’ new third-round draft pick can deliver the same level of production as Cobb did at wide receiver, general manager Brian Gutekunst and Rodgers’ new quarterback — Aaron Rodgers (no relation, and assuming he’s under center in 2021) — will be thrilled.
The Packers, slated to pick at No. 92 in the third round, traded one of their fourth-round picks (No. 135) to the Tennessee Titans for No. 85 to pick Rodgers, who caught 181 passes for 2,144 yards and 15 touchdowns at Clemson — and embraced the comparison to Cobb when asked about it at his on-campus pro day.
“I’d definitely see myself as a Randall Cobb type player, being used in the slot, jet sweeps and the return game, as well,” Rodgers said. “Ever since Randall left, they haven’t had a guy like that for real. I haven’t seen one. So just being able to bring my game to that offense, I feel like it would be special just to see and work with a well-known player like Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers, two vets that have a lot of experience and have competed at the highest level. I would love to go and learn from those guys, that would be pretty special.”
Friday night, he got his wish.
As a senior last season, Rodgers had 77 receptions for 1,020 yards and seven touchdowns. Not only could he line up inside and outside at receiver, he could also line up in the backfield (as Cobb did) and be a versatile piece for head coach Matt LaFleur’s offense. LaFleur used Tyler Ervin in that role last year, but Ervin struggled with injuries and Rodgers gives him an intriguing, more talented option.