After the rest of the NFC North, in 2013, was plagued by coaching mistakes, injuries, and sheer ineptitude, the Green Bay Packers sneaked into the playoffs. By Lambeau standards, the season was a complete and utter disaster that was only salvaged by a week 17 victory over an also embarrassing Chicago Bears team. Their 8-7-1 record earned them a wild card spot, but were shipped out after a close loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Certainly the Green and Yellow could have amounted to greater success, but spending a better portion of the games without their marquee players left them with little options, and reliant on backdoor success. As the 2014 season beckons, we’ll review your Packers fantasy options.
2014 Green Bay Packers Fantasy Outlook
Quarterback: One of the aforementioned marquee players that went down with injury last year was Aaron Rodgers. While riding the pine, Rodgers watched Scott Tolzien and Matt Flynn flounder and flail as the season was escaping them. In the time Rodgers was on the field he averaged a healthy 313.6 passing yards and 2.1 touchdowns per game (20.7 PPG) in his eight complete games. It’s hardly debatable that Rodgers is firmly cemented as the third signal caller off the board, but the question is where does this happen? An injury always sets fantasy folks on edge, but it’s impossible to predict when someone fractures their collarbone. So shake off those concerns and focus on the season ahead. An Average Draft Position (ADP) that I’ve seen was at 20, which means in a 10 team league you’ll be grabbing him at the end of the second, or at the beginning of the third round. I’ll be nabbing him then, as that’s a great spot to grab the proficient fantasy field general.
Wide Receivers: There is a lot of talent outside the hash marks and it starts with Jordy Nelson. Lately I’ve been back and forth with who goes first between him and Randall Cobb, and my conclusion is not easily drawn. Based on his exceptional production with Rodgers at the Helm, Nelson never stooped below eight PPG and even had five games where he scored 16+ PPG. Cobb, on the other hand, is a quick shifty receiver who is prone to feast or famine output. Nelson is your safe choice, but Cobb doesn’t dally far behind. The next best receiver title belongs to Jarrett Boykin who battled timeshares from James Jones, who moved on to the west coast with Raider Nation. Most of Boykin’s opportunities came when Cobb was recovering from a fractured fibula. Now that Jones is out of the picture, and Cobb is healthy, Boykin still has to out-work second round rookie Davante Adams, who has been closing the gap on the third receiver role. It all boils down to this; Aaron Rodgers is a prolific passer, and if you can get open you become a viable fantasy option.
Running Back: There is no question that second year stud, Eddie Lacy, will be the recipient of three down duties in the backfield. The Alabama product looks to conduct a steady charge and alleviate the pressure from Rodgers to throw constantly, but there is a blemish. In 14 games, week 2 Lacy left with a concussion and missed the following week, Lacy cooked up a paltry 3.7 ypc. The remedy was a heavy dosage of touches, averaging about 20 carries per game and tacking on 11 touchdowns. The Packers will not be looking elsewhere to divvy up the backfield, but just in case Lacy succumbs to injury, expect James Starks to be the next man up.
Tight End: With Jermichael Finley still couch surfing after several unsuccessful team physicals, the Packers are still searching for a fill-in. Last year they shifted between incumbents, Andrew Quarless and Brandon Bostick, and were unable to conclude who was a better option. So, during the draft, Green Bay invested a third round pick in Richard Rodgers to incite some competition and hopefully get some results from the tight end position. For now, we’ll leave this area under construction.
DEF/Special Teams and Kicker: Green Bay, as a collective unit, does not appeal as a viable option as a starting fantasy DEF. Mason Crosby seems to have steadied his nerves and has resisted the urge to shank kicks to either side. Look for him to be drafted as a Top 10 kicker.
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