NFL Fantasy Football 2011: Can Donald Driver Bounce Back?

Ryan LesterJun 7, 2018

Donald Driver is 36 so I'm not expecting him to put up a 1200-plus yard season like he did from 2004 to 2006. I don't even expect a 1,000-yard season like he tallied from 2007 to 2009. What I'm wondering is if Donald Driver will have any fantasy value in 2011.

Driver dealt with a myriad of injuries last year, which is not uncommon for a player his age. He still managed to play in 15 games, but he was far less productive than we've come to expect of him. Driver caught just 51 passes for 565 yards and four touchdowns—hardly the numbers you would expect from a receiver of his stature. They look more like the numbers of an average tight end. Things may not get better in 2011.

For starters, Jermichael Finley is healthy. If he can avoid the injury bug, look for Finley to put up some monster numbers. Also back to health is Ryan Grant, who could help lead to a more balanced attack. That's good news for Aaron Rodgers staying healthy and the defense staying rested, but it doesn't help a player like Driver that will be fighting to get targets.

He would have stood a chance to have some fantasy relevance if James Jones did not return, but that wasn't the case. Jones is back and will surely see more playing time than Driver. The same goes for Jordy Nelson who shined in the Super Bowl. Both of them will be cutting into Driver's reps and looks. Finally, Greg Jennings is the Packers' primary option.

Driver may do the right things on and off the field. He could be a great mentor to the young wide receivers. Unfortunately fantasy football doesn't reward that kind of play.

Driver has a MockDraftCentral ADP of 64, which puts him as a low-end WR5 or high-end WR6—only four slots ahead of Jordy and one ahead of Roy Williams. I say no thanks. Give me someone with some upside. What's your take?