Fantasy Football: Aaron Rodgers and Every Green Bay Packers' Fantasy Potential

This article was not written by Joe Rapolla Jr, but by Don Langan, who works with Rapolla at Who Needs Reality? They provide free, up-to-date and entertaining fantasy advice. Feel free to email for free advice and follow on Twitter.

 

With all of their key offseason acquisitions, the Philadelphia Eagles are sitting pretty as NFC East and Superbowl favorites. But before everyone gets caught up in talks of a “Dream Team,” let us not forget about the reigning Super Bowl Champions, the Green Bay Packers. If you manage to nab some of these key Cheeseheads, you will be off to a great start to building your own fantasy dream team.

Quarterback

Aaron Rodgers: Hands down, one of the top five fantasy quarterbacks. Not only is he deadly accurate with his passes, he can find the end zone with his feet, too. Four rushing touchdowns ranked fourth amongst all QBs last season, and he was one of the best scramblers yard-wise in the league behind only Michael Vick and Josh Freeman. That being said, with all of his running, he is liable to get banged up a bit, but in the last three seasons he has only missed one game. So durability shouldn’t really factor in. This guy is tough as nails.

Matt Flynn: On the off chance Rodgers does get hurt this season, Flynn should be a hot pick up around the league. The kid has heart. A former BSC champion himself at LSU, he has looked great in relief. Remember that game he had against the New England Patriots last year? He really showed some talent and character, and showed he could perform in the spotlight. Definitely worth the pick up if Rodgers goes down at any time this season. 

Tight End

Jermichael Finley: You will be sick of hearing this guy's name this year if he’s not on your fantasy team. He is a freak of nature. At 6'5" and 250 lbs, he is one of those WR/TE hybrids, a matchup nightmare. He cuts holes in defensive schemes and can drive defensive coordinators through the roof. He is coming of a knee injury last year, so be wary. But reports out of camp say he looks great. I believe if he stays healthy, he will be the top TE of the fantasy season this year, as Antonio Gates toe looks iffy and Vernon Davis still doesn’t have anyone to throw him the ball in San Francisco.

Wide Receiver

Greg Jennings: Coming off a career high 12 touchdowns in 2010, Greg Jennings has put up over 1,000 receiving yards in three straight seasons. Jennings finished last year as the fourth overall receiver in the league, but I expect that to drop off a little in 2011. This is because the packers will be getting back their star TE in Jermichael Finley and their veteran RB Ryan Grant, which will take some balls away from Jennings. They also have some great emerging talent in James Jones and Jordy Nelson at WR. Still though, if Rodgers is looking for a first down, deep ball or touchdown, his first option will be Jennings. Still a No. 1 receiver for your team and a top 10 WR overall.

Donald Driver: He is listed as the No. 2 receiver on the Packers website. But I do not know how long that will last for. He put up a solid year last season, but was bit by the injury bug later and is really not the deep threat he used to be. Expect a quiet season from Driver as the young talent in Green Bay emerges. 

James Jones: This guy is going to be something. He re-signed in Green Bay this offseason and he definitely was a wanted commodity elsewhere around the league. Staying in Green Bay tells me that he is comfortable, and the Packers have assured him they have some long term plans for him to get him involved in the offense. Would be a great No. 2 receiver for your team.

Jordy Nelson: A good problem the Packers have is that they almost have too much depth at WR. I am intrigued how the Packers are going to try and fit Jordy into the offense. But I am sure they will find a way. Jordy Nelson is an excellent slot route runner and will emerge this year as a nifty sleeper pick. I wouldn’t get too high on him, though, as some of his reps will be taken away by the return of Jermichael Finley. If the Packers suffer any injuries, though, look for Nelson step up big time. In the mean time, he might be worth a flex WR/TE slot. 

Running Back

Ryan Grant: Had a career year in 2009 with 11 TDs and 1,200 yards. Everyone expected a big year out of him last year, but an ankle injury derailed that the very first game. He is No. 1 in the depth chart this year and has the job secure. Believe it or not, the  Packers pass/run ratio last year was about 50/50. And although they didn’t get much production out of the run game, just by putting the ball on the ground as much as they did was essential for setting up their play action pass. Expect the same 50/50 ratio this year, only with Grant in the backfield there will be a lot more production in the rushing attack. A solid RB definitely worth a No. 2 RB or as a flex play. You might be able to sneak this guy in the sixth or seventh round.  

James Starks: Nothing to write home about here, especially if Grant finds his 2009 form. Grant owners will probably want Starks as a handcuff, but if Grant stays healthy, I don’t expect much from him at all this year.