Green Bay Packers: Best Fantasy Football Options Not Named Aaron Rodgers

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is one of those "sure things" when it comes to fantasy football. But the Packers are a team that have a lot of talent all over the field. They have one of the strongest groups of reliable fantasy performers.

After finishing the season with over 4,600 yards and accumulating 45 touchdowns Aaron Rodgers showed why he is the best quarterback in the NFL. And when you have 45 TDs, the ball is being spread around, and it's a numbers game.

That means the Packers should have a bushel of big-time fantasy players. And with a defense as porous as Green Bay's, the Packers are going to have to put up a lot of points.

With draft season starting to heat up, everyone is looking for options outside of the first- and second-round fantasy elite. The Packers have a few players who fit the bill and could end up being excellent fantasy contributors.

Jordy Nelson

Jordy Nelson was the biggest breakout receiver in 2011 not named Victor Cruz. Everyone expected Nelson to show improvement and put up some decent numbers, but no one expected 1,200 yards and 15 TDs.

No, that was not a typo; Jordy Nelson had 15 TDs. Talk about breaking out.

While his 2011 numbers will be hard to repeat, Nelson appears poised to be the Packers' go-to-guy.

The Packers are also looking to play Nelson more out of the slot this year in order to try to get him more touches. Nelson is exceptional in space, and the Packers want to utilize him in every way they can.

Safe projections put Nelson has a top-tier receiver and a player that can be relied week to week. Conservatively it's safe to think Nelson will have over 1,100 yards and 8-plus touchdowns.

The Packers have too many weapons at A-Rod's disposal for Nelson to get near 15TDs again. Especially if Greg Jennings can stay healthy all season.

But it's still a sure bet to assume Nelson will be one of the best fantasy receivers in the game in 2012. And with an ADP of 39, he will provide you with outstanding value.

Greg Jennings

Let's go inside the mind of a Greg Jennings. 2011 was a little bit of a letdown for Greg Jennings owners. The three games he missed due to injury caused him to miss out on the 1000-yard and 10-TD marks. But finishing with 950 yards and nine TDs in only 13 games is pretty impressive.

Jennings has been a solid fantasy receiver since he broke out his sophomore season when he had 920 yards and 12 TDs.

Coming into the 2012 season, Jennings seems primed to return to form.

It's a contract year for Greg Jennings, and that usually means increased production, particularly for big-time players.

If Jennings is able to stay healthy, I don't think it is out of the question for him to finish around 1100 yards and 12 TDs. This would place him at the lower end of the top 10 receivers.

The only concern I have with Jennings is his average draft position. In most leagues Jennings is going around pick No. 23.

This puts him ahead of players like Julio Jones, AJ Green, Brandon Marshall, Roddy White, and Victor Cruz, who could all have comparable seasons but would provide better value. If Jennings is around in the late third to early fourth, he's worth scooping up to step in as a WR 1/2.

Jermichael Finley

It seemed like Jermichael Finley's name came up every year as a guy who could break out. And through his first three seasons, he was a disappointment to say the least.

But 2011 changed all of that.

Finley finally played up to his immense potential and ended up having the best season of his pro career finishing with 767yds and finding the end zone eight times. That was good enough to put him fifth among all NFL tight ends.

Aaron Rodgers seemed to have a lot more trust in Finley in 2011 and really started to look to get him the ball, particularly in the red zone where Finley's 6'5", 250 lb frame was an easy target to find.

2012 should be another big year for Finley.

Projections put him right back around the 750-yard mark and potentially improving his touchdown production. Finley is the fifth tight end off the board, going around pick No. 60. Solid value for a player that will perform similar to a WR 2/3.

Bonus! Sleepers

The Packers have a few players who are flying under-the-radar who could end up breaking out like their teammate Jordy Nelson did last season.

Randall Cobb:

The first name that comes to mind is Randall Cobb. In his rookie season, Cobb finished with 375 yards and found pay dirt just once. But Cobb is poised to take the next step.

If he can get the reps ahead of Donald Driver, he could have a very respectable season. He's not worth drafting unless your league rewards special-teams play, but if he starts to show his might, be ready to get quick with the waiver wire.

James Starks

Starks' fantasy value all comes down to touches. If Starks can get close to the 200-carry mark, he could have an impact on your fantasy squad.

Right now Starks is only worthwhile as an RB 3. With an ADP of 76, he is going a little early in my opinion, but if you pull the trigger on him, you could end up looking like a genius.

James Starks has potential to get somewhere around 800 yards, but his touchdown numbers will most likely stay low due to Green Bay's insistence on using John Kuhn at the goal line.

Wrap Up

The Packers have a lot of weapons outside of Aaron Rodgers who can perform for your fantasy team. They even have a few sleepers who could make an impact if you get them for the right price.  

If you're looking for a team that is going to consistently put up big-time numbers, it's the Packers and their pass-first attack. From studs like Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings and Jermichael Finley to their sleepers like Randall Cobb and James Starks, the Packers are a team to be reckoned with.