STRENGTHS
Rodger has the size, speed, quick-twitch athleticism and high football IQ to play any defensive back position for your defense. He is a willing tackler and a good tackler in the open field. His cover skills, footwork, and hands to intercept the ball, are excellent. Rodger shows very good makeup speed and burst with the ability to change direction in spite of his long legs. He does not panic when he gets beat off the line of scrimmage because of the confidence he has in his athleticism and overall techniques. Rodger is smart and can play in complicated zone coverages or as your shut-down corner against the best receiver on the field in the slot or on the outside. He has the size and toughness to fight through blocks on sweeps and screens and identifies those plays quickly getting upfield to take on blocks or make tackles. If your team is looking for a multi-position defensive back, with shut down skills and leadership skills I believe that Rodger should fit that need very nicely. If your team is not looking for that type of player then…shame on them for not selecting him anyway.
CONCERNS
I could nit-pick any team into not selecting a player in any draft but like I always say, when you see the obvious…you draft the obvious.
BOTTOM LINE: 1.47
Like any player in a draft, Rodger could be selected in the top 10 or not until the 32nd pick. That being said, I can’t imagine Rodger dropping very far in the 1st round unless he does something stupid off the field before this draft and I sincerely doubt that will happen. The only way I think Rodger drops out of the top 10 in this draft is if a team starts a “false negative” rumor about him so that he will be there for that very same team to select him. I’m sure there will be “experts” that will disagree with me but make no mistake about it, Rodger has the potential to be a franchise cover corner for the team that selects him. It’s just that obvious to me. So, let the nitpicking begin but remember this profile after Rodger is on the field for the team that selects him because I am sick and tired of saying I told you so.
