It’s Too Soon To Call Amari Rodgers a Bust, But He Needs to Show More and Soon

Green Bay Packers receiver Amari Rodgers remains a disappointment thus far, but it’s still too soon to write him off entirely. Still, Rodgers has a lot of work to do to live up to the expectations the team had when they traded up to draft him in the third round a year ago.

Rodgers struggled in his rookie season. He was only on the field for 10 percent of the Packers offensive snaps and had only four catches all season for 45 yards.

The former Clemson star was the Packers primary punt returner all season and took over as the team’s kick returner midseason after Kylin Hill was lost for the season with a knee injury. Unfortunately, Rodgers was inconsistent at best as a return specialist. He often made mistakes when trying to determine when to field a punt and when to let it roll, he often ran east-west instead of taking the yards available to him if he decisively went north-south and he fumbled several return opportunities and nearly dropped a few others.

In the offseason, Rodgers took off some of the weight he put on in anticipation of playing in the NFL a year ago. That seemed to restore some of the quickness and burst that the Packers saw in him when they drafted him. Throughout OTAs and training camp, the coaching staff praised Rodgers and he took on a larger role in the offense during the preseason. In addition to lining up as a receiver, the second year wideout took snaps lined up in the backfield and carried the ball during the team’s three preseason games.

Still, once the regular season started, Rodgers was not a part of the offense even though the Packers were without WR1 Allen Lazard in Week 1 and have two rookie wideouts, he has barely seen the field thus far. The Packers were more comfortable throwing to Juwann Winfree who was elevated from the practice squad for the season opener, than Amari Rodgers. In fact, Rodgers has taken only one offensive snap though the first two games this season. He was not targeted and did not touch the ball in any way.

Rodgers did win the punt and kick return jobs and he did have a 20-yard punt return against the Bears, but he also fumbled another return although the Packers managed to recover. Fans often hold their breaths when Rodgers goes back to receive a punt or kick and while he has shown some more decisiveness, he is still far too inconsistent on returns this season.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was quick to look past Amari Rodgers when asked about him before the season opener. “Yeah, he’s returning for us now. That’s all I got on that.”

To his credit Amari Rodgers took his quarterback’s reaction in stride. “That’s just the truth. I haven’t earned his trust,” Amari Rodgers said. “That’s my role — I’m the return guy right now. I’m just focused on trying to make a spark. And I feel like once I do make a spark in the return game — or continue to do that, like I did in the preseason — then more opportunities will open up for me. Me being my own biggest critic, I know what I need to work on even more. So, just knowing my flaws right now, I’m continuing to work on them, going against our defense every single day on the scout team.”

Rodgers does not want to be yet another third round bust for the Packers. The third round has been a rough one for the Pack in recent years. Disappointing picks in that round include DL Montravius Adams, ILB Oren Burks, TE Jace Sternberger and Rodgers. The jury is still out on TE Josiah Deguara and OL Sean Rhyan who has struggled in training camp this year.

It is too soon to write Amari Rodgers off. Most wide receivers take time to adjust to life in the NFL and to thrive. This is only Rodgers’ second season in the league and he can still become a productive and reliable receiver. Those who can remember the 2015 season, second-year receiver Davante Adams struggled, catching barely 50 percent of the passes thrown to him and averaging just 9.7-yards per catch and managing just one touchdown in 13 games. Fans were calling Adams a bust but he turned things around and became one of the best receivers in the league a year or two later.

That is not to say Amari Rodgers will be the next Tae Adams. But it is too soon to call him a bust and give up on him. It would help Rodgers a lot if he showed some signs of what he’s capable of doing.

 

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1 points
 

Comments (66)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
PatrickGB's picture

September 24, 2022 at 11:05 am

I have often commented that we need a true slot WR. My hope was that AmRodgers would fill that role. Cobb is not what he used to be and, while others can play slot, they actually do better in other roles. I have often commented that I was not impressed with Rodgers RAS. While that’s not the only way to evaluate a player, it can be helpful. Perhaps it’s just a case of the yips and he will settle down. He did claim that he put in a lot of work in the off-season. He has a role as a returner and maybe that will be a springboard to better play as a WR. That’s my hope anyway. Right now it’s not looking good.

3 points
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PackyCheese500's picture

September 24, 2022 at 01:00 pm

If not Rodgers then maybe we could explore using Toure in the slot.

3 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

September 24, 2022 at 01:49 pm

There were a lot of slot options in that draft, it's too bad they went with the slowest one.

2 points
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stockholder's picture

September 24, 2022 at 11:16 am

I told you he was the wrong pick. He is a Bust. His only chance to survive. Is a Desmond Howard roll! But Howard's hands were better.

2 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

September 24, 2022 at 07:03 pm

St.Brown was sitting there until Rd four. All the guy did was make plays for USC. More dynamic than Drake London, but Gutedkunst likes to whiff big in the third.

3 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

September 24, 2022 at 07:03 pm

wafflestomp

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Oppy's picture

September 24, 2022 at 07:49 pm

. Moved

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Oppy's picture

September 24, 2022 at 07:50 pm

Stockholder, you also told us Davante Adams was a bust, even during the first two years he was quietly racking up completions and TDs.

You told us he wasn't a good WR because his yards were "all after the catch, not through the air."

I am extremely hesitant to take your proclamations of "bust" on any WR as anything more than pained lamenting.

3 points
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Oppy's picture

September 24, 2022 at 07:50 pm

Ugh. I guess this is where the post wants to nest. This site is BUGGY.

1 points
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LeotisHarris's picture

September 24, 2022 at 09:48 pm

The best 2022 spoken word poetry offering from stockholder (credit to dobber for turning me on to stockholder's gift) to date. Backed by a snare drum in a smoke-filled club, those words are golden.

4 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

September 25, 2022 at 01:38 am

Here I just figured he skipped English class during punctuation week. Now you tell me it's an avant-garde, gotta know the rules to break them, kinda thing? 🤔

2 points
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PatrickGB's picture

September 24, 2022 at 11:18 am

It’s odd that the Packers have not had as much success in the third round as they have in the fourth. We know the names of those players drafted in the third who have not panned out. This year I thought that Rhyan would be a great guard. So far it’s Tom who was drafted next that has exceeded expectations. So, I guess that I am glad that we have found good players in the fourth.

2 points
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dblbogey's picture

September 24, 2022 at 05:22 pm

I think it's been since 2010 with Morgan Burnett. The best since then was probably Kyler Fackrell. Yikes. And this year's pick, Rhyan, must really be looking bad. I never hear anything about him.

2 points
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Rebecca's picture

September 24, 2022 at 11:24 am

He’s kinda just taking up space. Doesn’t seem to have much going on. Give him 3 more years to get a clue? Does he play football? I’m waiting. Prove me wrong, Amari. 🙃

5 points
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Duneslick's picture

September 24, 2022 at 11:38 am

He just looks too slow and doesn't get separation. If losing weight does not help that i dont know what will. Tourre has the skills to pass rodgers and cobb

6 points
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lou's picture

September 24, 2022 at 01:03 pm

Agree, Tourre has a much better feel for the passing game and during the preseason he made catch after catch in heavy traffic, it was no surprise he made the roster, his skill set was obvious to other teams scouts. Even former Wisconsin WR Danny Davis is a much better prospect than Amari, he "made plays".

1 points
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chaka's picture

September 24, 2022 at 11:53 am

He is awful. They should just move on since he is not catching punts and kickoffs very clean either. Fumbled one last week.

2 points
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splitpea1's picture

September 24, 2022 at 12:44 pm

Mistakes happen in the draft sometimes, but there are worse examples. Look at the Eagles: they spent their 21st draft pick on Reagor, but then had to unload him for two lower round picks; and then they had to trade a pair of picks, including a first -rounder, to acquire Brown and spent another first-rounder on Smith.

Gute may be reluctant to move Amari, but unless he turns into a competent returner and contributes at least a little something on offense, he may have no choice. Probably won't get much back in return, though.

A more interesting question is why the Packers continue to have less than desirable results with their third-round draft picks. Maybe they should shift their philosophy more towards finding high-floor but lower ceiling types that are possibly more ready for the NFL at this point--I don 't know. It also doesn't help to be stubborn about keeping some of these former busts on the roster when they're clearly not panning out.

3 points
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dblbogey's picture

September 24, 2022 at 05:29 pm

They do like to hang on to them. For some reason, your comment made me think about the 2008 pick. They drafted Brian Brohm with the 56th pick, and he was so bad they cut his butt before the season. Ted goofed.

3 points
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11Bravo1p's picture

September 24, 2022 at 11:33 pm

The Packers got a lot of praise in 2008 from the draftniks for stealing Brohm with a 2nd round pick. But, it was the under the “draft experts” radar picks (Jordy in 2nd, Finley in 3rd, Sutton in 4th and Flynn in 7th) that made 2008 a great draft for the Pack.

1 points
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Oppy's picture

September 25, 2022 at 10:47 am

I think a part of that decision to cut Brohm is they found that he was more interested in taking coaching from his brother than the Packers' coaching staff.

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jannes bjornson's picture

September 24, 2022 at 07:08 pm

If they didn't earn their spot, move on. It is supposed to be all about competition, not saving face.

2 points
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Coldworld's picture

September 24, 2022 at 12:52 pm

A slot receiver who can’t get open is of limited value. As we have seen, there are other young players that can do something with the ball if schemed open in this roster. Unless Rodgers can show the ability to break open himself I think he’s got nowhere to go. He was schemed open in college, so I suppose it is still possible that a light could come on, but I am skeptical after this summer.

5 points
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PackyCheese500's picture

September 24, 2022 at 01:01 pm

We could, if Rodgers is indeed a bust, try using Toure in the slot

2 points
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Coldworld's picture

September 24, 2022 at 01:06 pm

Toure is the most logical alternative since Doubs is already assigned. We’ve mostly used Cobb and Lazard.

1 points
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canadapacker's picture

September 24, 2022 at 01:07 pm

Totally correct - but his saving grace might be the time spent with Cobb being around. That and along with Hill being sidelined with his knew thus making him the return guy has kept him from being cut or practice squaded at least. Now he has at least 4 games to work himselff onto the offense with Watkins being out. What he really needs to do is to do his return job properly - no muffed punts or bad kickoff returns. Definitely no fumbles and do not let the returnable punts go over his head. Make some nice returns and show some moves. Maybe then he might get some offense time ( if he practices well and gets AR on his side). He did do some nice things in pre=season and I dont know what prompted AR to say what he did but obviously it was something on the practice times because he hasnt seen the field otherwise. I would like to see him with one more big chance - so that he doesnt get Montgomeried.

2 points
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SeeRuss's picture

September 24, 2022 at 01:18 pm

I see a player who has next to no confidence. It would be wise to get Amari involved in the game plan. Coaches can script a screen, jet sweep, shovel pass etc and see if he can break one. We will never know what Amari can do offensively if we don’t see it

-3 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

September 24, 2022 at 01:52 pm

Why script those plays to Amari when Watson and Doubs are better at them and already on the field.

10 points
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Since'75's picture

September 24, 2022 at 01:22 pm

The Packers themselves, are telling us Amari is a bust.
I mean, a 3rd round pick with 10% of snaps in 2021.
1% so far in 2022?
In a already bare receiving room, this was the opportunity of a lifetime for Amari.
Rodgers needs a go to receiver. Amari couldn't open the door.

Gute has hit on some 1st and 2nd rounders, but in the 3rd to 7th round, their hasn't been a lot of fruit picked.

1 points
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dblbogey's picture

September 24, 2022 at 05:43 pm

He got MVS. Jon Runyan, Royce Newman. Not real impressive, though I like Runyan. This year he got Doubs and Zach Tom, who I really like, and a couple of others with "potential". It's hard to hit in rounds 3-7, especially when you miss on the 3rd pick every year.

0 points
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Since'75's picture

September 24, 2022 at 07:43 pm

I agree, those mid- late rounds are tough, but, a good GM can find valued starters.
I like Runyan also. Average grades, but not a bad talent for a 6th round pick. Excellent value pick.

He doesn't have MVS, mostly because he didn't think he was worth the money to keep him, in spite of knowing Adams was going to leave.
Note: Just because a team gave MVS 9 million this year, that doesn't mean he's worth it.
He has 6 catches for 57 yards so far. We'll see what happens.
I agreed with Gute on MVS, he's a 50% catch rate receiver, who doesn't have strong route running skills.
He's a one dimensional receiver who flashed once in awhile. But then again, so did Jeff Janis.

I can't crown Doubs yet, but at least he shows flashes
Zach Tom....30 snaps in his career with a PFF grade of 43,2
I think i'll give him some time before i call him a successful draft pick.
.
Some of Teds (RIP) later round picks include....
James Jones (3)
Jermichael Finley (3)
Josh Sitton (4)
T.J. Lang (4)
Morgan Burnett (3)
Mike Daniels (4)
David Bakhtiari (4)
J. C. Tretter (4)
Micah Hyde (5)
Corey Linsley (5)
Blake Martinez (4)
Aaron Jones (5)
Granted, TT had more years, but.............
**************
Right now, i'd be satisfied to see 1st and 2nd round picks Walker, Wyatt, and Watson to show us some flashes.
**********
GPG!!

-2 points
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The_Baloney_Stops_Here's picture

September 24, 2022 at 01:41 pm

Pretty hard to show anything from the bench. And hes not getting many (if any) 1st team reps in practice.

1 points
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13TimeChamps's picture

September 24, 2022 at 01:49 pm

These next four games (minimum) with Watkins out will be extremely telling about GB's plans for Rodgers moving forward. If he continues to get no playing time on offense while rookies and undrafted players do, the writing is pretty much on the wall for him. To say it's now or never for him would be an understatement.

As a Packer fan, I hope he succeeds and becomes the player GB envisioned him to be when they drafted him.

-2 points
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jont's picture

September 24, 2022 at 02:13 pm

"It's too soon to call Amari Rodgers a bust."

I don't want to sound harsh, but how long should we wait? On a team very weak at receiver he can't even get on the field.

Gute simply missed on this pick. Otherwise, he did OK in 2021:
Round 1: No. 29 – Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia
Round 2: No. 62 – Josh Myers, C, Ohio State
Round 3: No. 85 – Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson
Round 4: No. 142 – Royce Newman, OG, Ole Miss
Round 5: No. 173 – Tedarrell Slaton, DT, Florida
Round 5: No. 178 – Shemar Jean-Charles, CB, Appalachian State
Round 6: No. 214 – Cole Van Lanen, OT, Wisconsin
Round 6: No. 220 – Isaiah McDuffie, LB, Boston College
Round 7: No. 256 – Kylin Hill, RB, Mississippi State

5 points
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gpt999's picture

September 24, 2022 at 02:52 pm

As with the majority of these comments, I am in the let Amari go camp. The Packers cannot afford a player that only returns punts and kickoffs. And lets face it, he is NO Desmond Howard at this point in his career. He does not appear to have ground breaking speed, never seems to get separation in the passing game and usually is tackled at first touch.

Given the Packers salary cap issues, his $1.5 Mil can surely be better spent if these are truly the last AR12 years with Super Bowl aspirations. I am a huge fan of Gutes and everything he manages to do for GBs in-season personnel moves. No GM is perfect with all their picks. Maybe its time to release Amari and get more veteran help that can stay healthy and contribute?

4 points
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Coldworld's picture

September 25, 2022 at 09:41 am

They have backed themselves into a hole. They have no punt returner in the roster or PS other than Doubs. I wanted Doubs to be our punt returner, but even I have to admit that it’s asking too much since he is already essentially our number 2 WR.

So we are stuck with Rodgers or signing a street guy who probably doesn’t see the O either. I don’t see any Howard caliber returners out there that would make that a plus unless they doubt his ball security/judgment.

0 points
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LambeauPlain's picture

September 24, 2022 at 03:24 pm

Watkins to IR makes the lack of production from Amari even more of a problem.

Given past results, going into the season, the current situation with both these WRs is not surprising...expected, really.

Activating Taylor perhaps tips the Packer's O strategy to see a continuation of using the run game to open up the pass with all the WRs unable to practice this week.

2 points
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Coldworld's picture

September 25, 2022 at 09:44 am

Taylor is a guard against injury to Dillon and is essentially playing an ILB type role on STs after the loss of Barnes. We really could not expect to maintain a run heavy game and 2 RBs (gadget runs folding not make an RB) and we needed a guy in his role in STs.

0 points
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Rossonero's picture

September 24, 2022 at 03:29 pm

I'm seeing some groupthink on here, so I'll play Devil's advocate for a moment, with this in mind:

"He was only on the field for 10 percent of the Packers offensive snaps and had only four catches all season for 45 yards."

The only way to DEVELOP Amari Rodgers is to PLAY him. And let's not forget the Packers TRADED UP for him to boot..... the Packers shipped pick Nos. 92 and 135 to the Titans to grab him.

The problem is, Gute wasn't planning on Aaron Rodgers throwing a temper tantrum and wanting Cobb back -- that was the death knell for Amari to get snaps, so he was relegated to return duties, and yes, he sucked....but that is part of the learning process. Regular season experience is the best teacher, not classroom or just practice.

So while Amari has to take ownership for stinking it up as a returner, the coaching staff needs to take ownership for PUTTING THEIR PLAYERS IN POSITIONS TO SUCCEED! The only reason Randall Cobb is not a Houston Texan, is because of Aaron Rodgers. That's it. Gutey had no intention of bringing him back and it was onwards with the youth movement.

Unfortunately, until Cobb gets injured or leaves as a free agent in 2023, Amari Rodgers looks to be another 3rd rd bust. What he can control is being a good returner, and if Cobb gets injured, he must be ready to go and make plays.

-3 points
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Swisch's picture

September 24, 2022 at 04:18 pm

I'm not giving up on Amari Rodgers, just as I didn't give up on Rashan Gary.
Rodgers had a nice return last week for about 20 yards, showing decisiveness, burst, quickness, and shiftiness.
Here's hoping he builds on that solid start -- if only he gets the opportunities.

1 points
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canadapacker's picture

September 24, 2022 at 08:58 pm

i agree with you as I said above - this is his make it or break it 4 game session. I believe if he has a miscue on the punts or if he blows a return - or has a fumble - it will be Taylor's job - he did a good job in the preseason. I also am hoping that he gets on the field for at least a gadget play - especially if Cobb cant go or is still under the weather in Tampa. Sometimes all it takes is a chance when the chips are down. Now if he hasnt screwed up in the practice maybe he will get his chance.

3 points
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Coldworld's picture

September 25, 2022 at 09:50 am

Taylor doesn’t return punts or kicks and didn’t in preseason. Did you mean Doubs? He’s the only punt guy. Hyam was the third guy who got regular chances and he’s not on the team.

0 points
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canadapacker's picture

September 25, 2022 at 02:01 pm

You are right - mistook him for Goodson who had a nice KO return - last preseason game

0 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

September 25, 2022 at 02:04 am

Cobb didn't keep Amari off the field. Amari's lack of speed, quickness and explosiveness kept him off the field.

This year, Amari is up to having average speed, quickness and explosiveness. He does seem to do well with the ball in his hands. He is not a scatback. He is tiny. Still, developing footwork, and football IQ can make him into a player. He will get this year and probably TC next year to show he belongs.

3 points
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Guam's picture

September 25, 2022 at 08:48 am

Amen TGR. Cobb has nothing to do with Amari's talent shortcomings. Amari should not be on the roster, Winfree should be.

0 points
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Coldworld's picture

September 25, 2022 at 10:19 am

I tend to agree. Winfree is a tough, competitive WR who may not be an elite athlete but he will be in the right place, contest and make catches if he’s not a focus of coverage.

Rodgers doesn’t have the natural ability to read defenders. That’s what made Cobb. When drafted Cobb was much more of a runner. His passing prowess was an unexpected plus. Rodgers short area skills should enable him to shed defenders to get open just as well as after the catch. While Cobb seemed able to read that, Rodgers seems to have no such feel.

Compounding that, Rodgers dies not have the agility to extend his catch radius that Cobb and other small slots have. He can turn in a dime but he can’t adjust in place. He’s not a route technician either, though that can be taught, but the mental and physical aspects not really.

Remember Toure’s catches in preseason where he contorted and caught passes that were well away or behind him? That’s ideal in a slot. He’s also got an ability to burst away from defenders. He’s a much better option physically than Rodgers to make catches in the slot. He may not be quite as elusive a runner, but that’s the second priority. If I’m Scheming a guy open in space, Doubs showed us last week in the 20 yarder through traffic that he can do that very effectively, even if we ignore Watson.

As a receiver, I don’t see upside in Rodgers that justifies further investment. I don’t see him ever being better than Doubs or Toure in the slot with their respective physical gifts. He’s simply marginal as a slot receiver and is never likely to be a guy who can figure out how to magically get open. That’s a skill very similar to the football instincts we talk about with defenders. You have to have them inherently. If you do, they can develop further somewhat, but Rodgers shows no sign of them.

As Rodgers the QB said, he’s just a returner. That’s what I believe they confirmed this year and why he got so many opportunities in preseason. It really showed what he can and can’t do, not how he can contribute on O, except in extremis.

0 points
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Since'75's picture

September 25, 2022 at 10:27 am

Rossonero....

Maybe.....the Packers think they have a better chance winning on the field with Cobb vs Rodgers.

Maybe....in camp and practices, Amari has shown the coaches he's more of a liability than an asset on the field.

What i get from your post is that Amari's failures are caused by the Packers themselves, and you even go far enough to blame Aaron Rodgers. WOW

Yes, the Packers traded up for Amari....they also traded up for Jordan Love, same with Christian Watson. But maybe that's Aaron Rodgers fault also.

I'm just a bit confused how your brain works.

" Regular season experience is the best teacher, not classroom or just practice."

NO!!...the regular season is the time you put your best players on the field that give you the best chance of winning, and....reaching the teams goal..

In the NFL...You have to earn your regular season snaps on the field. You just don't automatically get them because the team "traded up for you".

If Amari just needs more practice and training, put him on the practice squad.

Amari Rodgers is....what he is.

1 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

September 24, 2022 at 03:32 pm

I think they should have done more to replace him as a returner. Then he could have been pushed to the PS. But I would still give him another shot next year when they will be looking for WRs again.

We'll see if he gets more opportunities with Watkins out. They play different spots but things might get shifted around a bit. If he gets no touches in the next few weeks the writing is on the wall as far as where he's at on offense and keeping him around for his very average returns is a questionable decision to me.

-2 points
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freddisch's picture

September 24, 2022 at 04:15 pm

Suggest that for next year’s draft, we trade our 3rd round pick(s) , for additional 4th round picks

2 points
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dblbogey's picture

September 24, 2022 at 05:46 pm

Each and every year. Our best 3rd rounder since Morgan Burnett is Kyler Fackrell. Out of 12 3rd round picks, he's the cream of the crop.

0 points
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Coldworld's picture

September 25, 2022 at 10:25 am

Just pretend it’s the 4th (the draft equivalent of the 13th floor) and pick the best player available, rather than looking to fill roles/types.

If we had taken Doubs in the third, would any one have complained? We do a lot of BPA except in R3, where we seem to look at the best of a missing type. Rhyan was a pick few understood that underlines this. We wanted a G with certain characteristics and over-drafted to get him (consensus at the time). We wanted a Cobb type slot and did the same with Rodgers. Despite the reduced pool, we get better players the round after. Dillon, Tom and so on. From now on, it’s 1, 2 and then a double 4th for you Gutey.

0 points
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wildbill's picture

September 24, 2022 at 05:03 pm

To say Rodgers “won” the return jobs is a joke. The Packers are desperate to find a role for him to try to extract some level of return on their investment,

6 points
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lou's picture

September 24, 2022 at 05:37 pm

Agree, how many other rookies based on his poor judgement, unsecure hands, and no burst would be returning kicks EVERY GAME like he did last season, others whether they did better or not should have been tried last season, you play to win the game.

1 points
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Coldworld's picture

September 25, 2022 at 10:32 am

He won it by default the moment that they decided that Doubs was too important and needed to be accelerated.

1 points
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barutanseijin's picture

September 24, 2022 at 08:54 pm

He’s a bust. B U S T bust. He is slow, with bad hands and bad judgment. He shouldn’t be on the field

1 points
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GregC's picture

September 25, 2022 at 05:14 am

The lack of success with third round draft picks has to be a coincidence, right? The only other explanation I can think of is that the Packers are thinking of the third round in terms of plugging holes in the roster rather than taking the best player available. Amari was that kind of pick, but I'm not sure you could say that about the others. It also doesn't make sense that the Packers would approach the third round in a different way than they approach all of the other rounds in the draft.

I think Amari has looked better as a returner this season, but I seem to be in the minority. Time will tell. The Packers don't look ready to replace him as a returner any more than they look ready to make him part of the offense.

0 points
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Coldworld's picture

September 25, 2022 at 10:35 am

Better, yes. Good, no, just OK, and the issue of ball security remains. He’s fumbling at a rate of one in 8 (3in 24). That needs to be improved if he’s to survive. We haven’t seen his decision making really tested close to the line yet this year either.

1 points
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Coldworld's picture

September 25, 2022 at 10:35 am

Duplicate

0 points
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marpag1's picture

September 25, 2022 at 06:44 am

I was not in favor of keeping him on the roster when the Packers broke camp. Since last year I've always said he doesn't even show the juice or physical ability... not very fast, not very strong, doesn't appear to be elusive, hasn't shown an ability to catch... etc.etc.etc.... what exactly HAS he shown??

3 points
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jvole's picture

September 25, 2022 at 06:54 am

To me, the warning signs with Rodgers is that he doesn't seem to make people miss and he can't seem to get open when a defender is on him. If he has the blocks, then he might do something. If he is left alone, then he might get open. I dunno---Are these fixable problems or do they reflect a lack of speed and 'shiftiness'?

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croatpackfan's picture

September 25, 2022 at 08:55 am

Regarding Amari return abilities, only thing I see as a problem is his uncertainty in catching the ball. For returner to be able to have good return yardage ST must open him at least one lane.

As it is hard to see does return lanes are there with cameras showing only the part of the field we really do not know if there are any lines open.

I suggest or, better to say, kindly request one of the author on this page to make some efforts and show us if the problem is Amari or the blocking unit who do not open the lines.

After that analyse we would be much better informed where the problem is.

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wildbill's picture

September 25, 2022 at 11:38 am

A very good point about us not being able to see the lanes but his ball security, and judgement, are poor at this time. Is he better than last year? Is an earache better than a toothache?

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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

September 25, 2022 at 12:49 pm

So many couch General Managers always 2nd guessing every personnel move & draft choice since there is no way to track everyone's choices & hold accountable.

I have not given up on Amari and still hope for the best. I agree with several on here that Toure should be brought along and be given opportunities. Unlike many Cobb should never have been brought back & I'm actually glad Watkins is out a minimum of 4 weeks. If the Packers are going anywhere this year & future years Watson, Doubs, Amari & Toure HAVE TO get extensive playing time. Trying to put a patch work of injury prone over the hill veteran WR's on the field does nothing other than prolonging the development of our young & talented WR's. Yes, we want to get to end of year at crunch time & playoffs and have our veteran WR's injured & our young WR's with minimal experience. Certainly there will be growing pains but Watkins not playing is one of the best things that could have happened to our offense early in the season. Now if Cobb would play as a back-up in critical spots allowing the young guys to step up the team would be better off. Save the veterans (outside Lazard) for key moments in games to keep them healthy while allowing our young WR's to grow into starting players and the Packers will be better for it.

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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

September 25, 2022 at 12:55 pm

Will also add seeing a player in action during games/scrimmages close up in person is exponentially more valuable than watching on TV. This summer I saw Amari and he impressed me with his quickness and cutting ability. He stood out. Now I will be honest I did not see him enough to know how good his hands are, but there certainly should be no reason why he can't get open & get separation as so many have declared. I've questioned this before...does he struggle remembering plays and where he is supposed to be? I know this was discussed during one of the earlier pre-season games when Love threw to him. Is this what is holding him back vs the physical?

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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

September 25, 2022 at 03:51 pm

Doubs just scored TD in 1st Qtr. Case in point....3 receptions & a TD for the rookie WR in Packers first series. Get these rookie WR playing experience. Watson unfortunately injured...again, but get Toure in there too during the game.

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croatpackfan's picture

September 25, 2022 at 04:59 pm

Toure is inactive

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