How Clemson receiver Amari Rodgers improved NFL Draft stock

CLEMSON — Amari Rodgers has seen his draft stock rise since Clemson’s season ended with a loss to Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl.

Rodgers now appears likely to be a second-round pick in this week’s NFL Draft after impressing during the pre-draft process.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has Rodgers going No. 49 overall to the Cardinals in his latest mock draft and recently called Rodgers “one of the best slot receivers in this class.”

So what has Rodgers done to help his draft stock? He believes it starts with the way he practices. Dabo Swinney said throughout Rodgers’ time at Clemson that the wideout practices like a pro, and teams have been able to see that over the past few months, beginning with the Senior Bowl in January.

“A lot of people never saw me work at practice, especially with COVID. Scouts couldn’t come to practice this year. So that was an opportunity for them to see how I practice and stuff like that,” Rodgers said at his camp earlier this month. “So I wanted to go out there and show them that I practice like a pro and show them that I can win 1-on-1 matchups. I feel like I did that. I feel like it helped me tremendously.”

Rodgers also had a nice performance in the Senior Bowl game, catching four passes for 23 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown. He added a two-point conversion reception and made a couple of nice catches with defenders all over him.

“I’m not the biggest receiver but I showed my ability to make contested catches,” Rodgers said. “The touchdown I had in the game, I got hit and held onto it. And even the practices I made a couple of contested catches as well. So being able to show that I play bigger than what I am. … That’s really one of the question boxes I wanted to check.”

Amari Rodgers had a strong showing at Clemson’s Pro Day. (Clemson Athletics)

Rodgers continued to help himself with his performance at Clemson’s Pro Day.

He did 24 reps on the bench press and was timed at 4.51 in the 40-yard dash. He also impressed with his pass-catching ability and as he went through drills.

Thanks to his productive career at Clemson, strong practice habits and impressive showing at the Senior Bowl, it’s easy to see why Rodgers’ stock is on the rise.

“I always study the best receivers or the best players, study their mindsets. That’s really the main thing is they practice hard. They practice like it’s a game so when the game comes it’s easy,” Rodgers said. “So just picking up that mindset and then going and doing it, I feel like it translated over to my best season my senior year, because I changed my mindset when it comes to practicing.”

Rodgers and star quarterback Trevor Lawrence had strong chemistry throughout the 2020 season as Rodgers led the Tigers with 77 catches for 1,020 yards and seven touchdowns.

Rodgers believes it’s possible the two could link back up in the NFL. Jacksonville is expected to select Lawrence with the No. 1 pick on Thursday, and the Jaguars have four other picks in the first three rounds.

“It would be awesome,” Rodgers said. “I know coach [Urban] Meyer, he said recently that he wanted to surround Trevor with people that he’s familiar with. So that would be the perfect opportunity. Linking me and Trevor back up, I feel like we would be in good shape, for sure.”