When the Green Bay Packers drafted Amari Rodgers in the third round last season, many fans were thrilled. After all, he had 77 receptions for 1,020 yards as a senior at Clemson. Unfortunately, Rodgers did not live up to the expectations many had for him. He caught just four passes for 45 yards all last season. As a kick returner, he looked lost and confused many times and lost that job. Some have tried to excuse Rodgers’ poor season by pointing to the reacquisition of Randall Cobb. Others have simply labeled Rodgers a bust already. In a recent interview, Packers wide receivers coach Jason Vrable addressed Amari Rodgers’ disappointing rookie season and what his future looks like.
Amari Rodgers’ Rookie Season: He Wasn’t Good Enough
Jason Vrable had this to say about Amari Rodgers’ rookie season:
“I don’t give Amari the out that [Cobb] was here. It’s your job to beat Randall out or beat our Z out. Even though he plays slot, I’ve got him working out at Z and he’s done that before. His performance just wasn’t on their level. That’s just the reality of it, right? It wasn’t that he was bad, but he wasn’t doing the high-level things that Randall was doing or the Z, Lazard.”
Both Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard will be back in 2022. Yes, Lazard has not signed his offer sheet yet, but make no mistake, he will be a Packer in 2022. In any case, Cobb finished 2021 with 28 receptions for 375 yards and five touchdowns. Of his 28 receptions, 21 of them were for first downs. In other words, 26 out of his 28 receptions were either touchdowns or moved the chains for a fresh set of downs.
Allen Lazard finished 2021 with 40 receptions for 513 yards and eight touchdowns. On top of his incredible blocking abilities, Lazard had the highest passer rating when targeted in the NFL.
Amari Rogers needs to be better.
Jason Vrable Has High Expectations for Amari Rodgers in 2022
Despite Amari Rodgers’ disappointing rookie season, Vrable is not ready to give up on him as some fans are. When addressing Rodgers’ preparation for this season, Vrable said the following:
“His route-running is already cleaner and crisper. I feel really good about Amari. [Randall Cobb] bumped me the other day and was like ‘Yo, you can feel it from him.’ And I just smiled and was like, ‘It’s just the start right now.’ We’ll see where he’s at when the pads come on and the lights go on.”
With three new rookie wide receivers in the mix, there is more competition for the second-year wide receiver. However, with Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling both gone, there are also more chances to prove himself.
Hopefully he can take the next step and become the weapon the Packers envisioned he could be.
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