Fantasy Football 2015: Previewing the Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers, QB

Sep 28, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

After injury limited him to nine games in 2013 (thanks for your contribution to the team, Shea McClellin!), Rodgers bounced back in 2014 to the tune of 38 TDs and 4,381 yards with only 5 INTs.  Rodgers wasn’t the top TD man among quarterbacks in ’14, but assuming you are in a league that penalizes for INTs — he was the guy you wanted.  The TD/INT ratios for Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning in ’14 were 40/16 and 39/15, respectively.

Named NFL MVP for the second time in his 10-year career, Rodgers is almost universally considered the top current signal-caller in the game.  Much like when Brett Favre was in town, he’s a guy I root against but would give my left you-know-what to have him in Chicago Bear colors.

I’m not sure which came first, the elite receiver or the elite quarterback, but despite which one you believe begat the other it’s safe to say at this point Rodgers has some FF studs to throw to in Nelson and Cobb.  He also has a top-level running back behind him, and all of it mixed together is a deadly combination for opposing defenses.

Sep 28, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) drops back to pass against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

And it’s a recipe for success in fantasy football.

So then the question is, at what point do you draft Rodgers?  One look at any worthwhile fantasy outlet will tell you that an elite RB is the direction you need to go with your top pick, and if you’ve played fantasy football at all you already know that.

One thing I’ve learned in my years playing fantasy football is this: you’re not out to impress anybody on draft day, you’re in it to win it.  Proclamations by your fellow owners of “great pick” are a dime a dozen; everybody is an expert on draft day.  Conversely, anybody who goofs on you for what they view as a reach is equally irrelevant.

In my opinion an elite-level QB — and there are only a handful of them — is just as valuable as any top running back.  While I wouldn’t advise taking Rodgers #1 overall, I wouldn’t be opposed to taking him as early as mid-to-late first round.  If you get stuck somewhere between picks 7-10, you had better thing long and hard about taking Rodgers.

Next: Two-Headed Monster