Fantasy Football 2015: Previewing the Green Bay Packers
Jordy Nelson, WR
Nov 9, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) prepares to stiff arm Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings (26) after catching a pass during the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
If you have Aaron Rodgers at quarterback for your fantasy football team, you’re in pretty good shape. If you have Rodgers and one of his top two receivers, you’re in for some high-scoring weeks throughout the season. The most sought after of the receiving duo is the seventh year man out of Kansas State, Jordy Nelson.
Targeted 278 times in the last two years, Nelson is one of the top WR in that category. He’s pretty reliable at making something happen with those looks as well, pulling in 183 receptions for an impressive 2,833 yards and 21 TDs in 2013 and 2014 combined. It’s a pass-happy league and Green Bay is a pass-happy offense; Nelson and his owners are reaping the benefits.
Names like Antonio Brown, Dez Bryant and Odell Beckham Jr. sit atop most fantasy football WR rankings at this point in the year, but Nelson is right in the mix. Brown may be the only consensus first-round pick in the bunch but Nelson isn’t too far behind, and that has a lot to do with who is throwing him the ball. He’s an elite level WR1, so get him while you can early in round number two.
Randall Cobb, WR
Sep 28, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) makes a catch against Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) during the second half at Soldier Field. The Green Bay Packers defeats the Chicago Bears 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
The second half of Green Bay’s dangerous receiving tandem is the recently re-signed Randall Cobb. Coming off of the last year of his rookie contract, Cobb was set to be one of the more hotly pursued free agents. Cobb and Green Bay never let that happen, however, and the dangerous slot receiver re-signed for four more years after putting forth his career-best performance in 2014.
Cobb’s numbers last year: 91 receptions on 127 targets, 1,287 yards and 12 TDs. You know it’s a scary offense when Cobb is considered the second most lethal option at wide receiver. Much like Jordy, his fantasy value is sustainable year-over-year thanks to the guy throwing him the ball. As far as fantasy value they’re basically equals, so lets call them 1-A and 1-B.
Cobb is a great receiver in his own right, but it’s always safe as a fantasy owner to get the receivers who have an all-world QB throwing them the ball. That said, much like Jordy you’ll need to act relatively fast if you want to be the proud fantasy football owner of Randall Cobb. He can probably be had in the third round and as such, he’s a back-end WR1 with a ton of upside.
Next: The Remaining Fantasy Options