Amari Rodgers was a promising pick for the Packers in the 2021 NFL Draft. Coming out of Clemson, a program that had produced many pro players in the past 5 years, the Packers were hopeful that Rodgers could meld into the offense and start a lot of Rodgers to Rodgers connections. However, this did not happen. Rodgers struggled mightily last year. With 2022 training camp right around the corner, Amari Rodgers could be fighting for a roster spot.
Amari Rodgers in 2021
To say Amari Rodgers had an underwhelming 2021 is putting it mildly. For the whole season, Rodgers only had 4 catches for 45 yards. That’s not great but one week in particular was disappointing. Coming into the Thursday night game against the Cardinals, both Davante Adams and Allen Lazard were put on the Covid-19 list and were out. This gave Rodgers a prime opportunity to step into a bigger role where he wouldn’t be competing for targets. He had 1 catch for 7 yards. That’s it. Over and over, he simply did not show any flashes of greatness that Packers fans were hoping for.
A Crowded WR Room
Despite the departure of Davante Adams, the Packers WR room is crowded. Veterans Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb are still there. The Packers took a flyer on Sammy Watkins hoping he could stay on the field. During the 2022 draft, the Packers took a trio of WR: Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Samori Toure and early reports are that Rodgers likes working with these rookies. I would also not rule out the Packers picking up either Odell Beckham Jr. or Julio Jones as a late free agency transaction. In order to Amari Rodgers to stay on the team, he needs to show some drastic improvement from last year.
Good News For Amari Rodgers
The good news for Rodgers is that he seems to have the right attitude about the situation. He is using his experience in knowing the playbook to show the coaches that he can be trusted. Rodgers could find a niche role as a special teams player, a part of the team that must improve this season. He also has been mentored by Randall Cobb which I would consider a good person to have in your corner. In a recent interview, Cobb expressed the need for patience with some players especially Rodgers. With more confidence heading into the season, the hope is that Amari Rodgers is ready to take on a larger role.