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Overview
Compact slot target who thrived at Clemson with his ability to create chunk plays out of short catch-and-runs and take the top off defenses with his speed. Rodgers has a running back's stout lower body, providing power and balance to break tackles and rumble through contact with the ball in his hands. His ball skills are pretty good, but he can go from magnificent catch to focus drop in a single drive. Rodgers uses speed alterations inside the route and a sudden burst to top speed to create deep separation from coverage. He's not as effective at separating underneath against tight man coverage and will need to prove himself in that regard.

Strengths
Very strong, with compact body type.
Came back from ACL tear in 166 days, exemplifying work ethic.
Sets up cornerbacks with clever alterations of route speed.
Can get to top speed very quickly.
Plus ball-tracking and focus to catch the 50-50 ball.
Second gear to chase down the deep ball.
Natural footwork in adjusting to off-target tosses.
Stabs it out of air with sudden hands.
Able to slip or break first tackle after catch.
Pull-away speed in the open field.
Capable of handling punt return duties.
Competitive nature is above average.

Weaknesses
Needs to prove he can deal with NFL press.
Inconsistent early vertical push off the snap.
Has a tendency to rush through route fakes.
Average foot agility getting in and out of breaks.
Shorter arms with some tightness in upper body.
Loss of catch concentration at times in 2018 and 2020.
Needs to keep working to find softest spots in zone for quarterback.

STRENGTHS: Compact, stout frame and looks like a running back with the ball in his hands…outstanding play strength, forcing tacklers to fall off him (nine broken tackles in 2020)…strong hands-catcher, spearing away from his body or scooping the ball off his shoe tops…fluid body control to make easy adjustments on the ball…uses start/stop quickness to snap at the stem or shake defenders after the catch…shows the acceleration and gear-change to win vertically…excellent field awareness, toe-tapping the sideline/backline…described as a “master of the details” by former Clemson offensive coordinator Jeff Scott…spent the past three seasons as the team’s featured punt returner, scoring one touchdown (70/529/1)…toughness isn’t a question mark, often feasting over the middle and attacking defenders as a blocker…strong football ties in his family…already prepares and works like a professional (returned from his 2019 ACL injury in 166 days).

WEAKNESSES: Unimpressive height/length…doesn’t have a high win rate on contested catches…more drops than you want to see for a player with his hand strength (five drops in 2020)…most of his college targets came underneath or on horizontal routes (11.8 yards per catch)…only half (53.2%) of his 2020 receptions resulted in a first down or touchdown…hard-nosed blocker, but needs to improve in this area to better sustain at contact…medicals will be important after tearing the ACL in his right knee (March 2019).

SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Clemson, Rodgers lined up primarily in the slot in offensive coordinator Tony Elliott’s shotgun spread scheme, moving around the formation and thriving on quick targets (screens, sweeps, etc.). He was Trevor Lawrence’s favorite receiver in 2020 and finished his career No. 6 in school history with 181 catches. Rodgers is very natural catching the ball in stride and seamlessly becoming a ball carrier, and there is a rumble pack on the clicker when you watch his tape because you feel his play strength and toughness. He has elusive feet to shake defenders and settle in zones, but he still requires maturation as a downfield
route runner. Overall, Rodgers might struggle to win on the outside vs. NFL corners, but he is a cranked-up competitor with the play strength, instincts and acceleration similar to Deebo Samuel. He projects as a versatile starting slot receiver with special teams skills.

GRADE: 2nd-3rd Round (No. 64 overall)

WR Coach No. 2: I think he can actually play in the backfield. He has legit size. He’s a lot like (Saints running back) Ty Montgomery. He’s a north-south runner; very little wasted motion; I think his skills translate to the NFL game well.

WR Coach No. 3: He was outstanding in our interview. He’s a coach’s kid so you’d expect him to do well, but he was off the charts.

RRyder823 wrote:Do we know yet what they gave up in the trade up?

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