Fantasy Analysis: Green Bay Packers

Hey guys! After that refreshing battle of the second- tier TE's, we resume our trek through the NFL. Today we take a look at a fantasy football juggernaut, the Green Bay Packers.

Aaron Rodgers

The Green Bay Packers most dynamic player and team leader, Aaron Rodgers has been a staple of winning fantasy teams for the past five seasons. He is unquestionably the top fantasy player at his position, having finished at or near the top of the QB positional rakings each year he has started. Over the past two years, he’s posted an 84:14 TD:INT ratio, and even chips in a few yards on the ground. He’s definetly worth a second- round selection, which is right about where he’s going in mock drafts.

Eddy Lacy, Jonathon Franklin, and DuJuan Harris

The Packers have not had much success running the ball. They have failed to attract good runners, and have a “pass first, pass second, and pass third,” attitude. So the Packers selection of the two most talented backs in the draft, according to draft experts, comes as no surprise. The question remains, however, as to how these two backs will perform. Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy has talked up Eddie Lacy as his full- time starter, but it is more likely he will be the strong side of a platoon, the thunder to Franklin’s lightning. As much as the Packers get near the end zone, Lacy could have value just as a goal-line back. Franklin could do well as the pass- catching back, in a similar role to Randall Cobb, though he may face competition from third- year scatback DuJuan Harris.

Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb& James Jones

Nelson was a disappointment last season, finishing with only 49 catches for 745 yards and 7 TDs. But, looking back, most of his production came in the first half of the season, where he was not injured and competing with Greg Jennings. He was on pace for 91 catches, 1216 yards, and 11 touchdowns through the first seven weeks, which is a closer approximation of his value this season. With Jennings gone and Jordy presumably healthy, he very well could eclipse those numbers as Aaron Rodgers top wideout. Of course, he’ll have to stay healthy to do it. Jones is another guy who benefited from having Rodgers’ favorite Greg Jennings out of the lineup. He posted a 36/401/7 line in the first half of the season, with Jennings on the shelf, and wound up leading the league in receiving touchdowns with 14. While some TD regression is inevitable, working as the No.2 or No.3 receiver will certainly increase Jones’ receptions, as he was targeted only a measly 98 times. Cobb, currently being hyped by the fantasy experts, was the one receiver who wasn’t affected by Jennings return to the lineup, posting 43/519/5 line with Jennings in the lineup, a 37/435/3 tag without. However, with a current ADP of 3.06, or the 31^st player off the board, I’m not sure the investment is worth it. First, while I don’t expect the Packers selection of Eddie Lacy and Jonathon Franklin to have a huge impact on the offense, if someone is to be affected it is most likely to be Cobb, who routinely worked in the short passing game. Secondly, he is currently being drafted ahead of stud wide receivers Roddy White, Victor Cruz, Andre Johnson, Vincent Jackson, and teammate Jordy Nelson, all of whom carry far less risk than the third- year receiver. I’m not saying Cob b will not be good this year; I just think he may be overvalued.

Jermichael Finley

Finley was a fantasy tease last year, posting a 61/667/2 line, one year after grabbing 55/767/8. He picked up his yardage totals in the second half, going from 225 to 667 in just eight games, but still struggled to fins the end zone, grabbing only one touchdown in each half. Things don’t look to get better for Finley over the next year, either, as the Packers retained goal- line monster James Jones and added running back Eddie Lacy, who can also poach a few TDs. He’s a fringe TE2 in standard leagues this year.

Mason Crosby

 Despite playing for the league’s most explosive offense, Crosby failed to crack the top- 12 fantasy points for kickers due to a horrific 63.6% field goal accuracy. Crosby has always been regarded as erratic, but last year’s disaster set a record- low for the placekicker. If he can get back to his previous levels of field goal accuracy, about 77%, Crosby should finish inside the top- 12 kickers. However, he’s still a fringe starter until further notice. 

And that wraps it up! Hope this was informative and refreshing, perhaps even a bit enjoyable; anyways, feel free to leave your comments down at the bottom. We'll see you out here tomorrow!