2016 Fantasy Football Team Preview: Green Bay Packers

 

2015 Fantasy Recap

The Packers obviously struggled offensively in 2015, affecting a ton of fantasy owners around the world. When Jordy Nelson went down with a torn ACL during the preseason things just fell into a downward spiral for the Green Bay organization. They still managed to have a solid year in reality but from a fantasy perspective not so much. Eddie Lacy came into the season overweight and Randall Cobb proved that he isn’t an elite Number 1 receiver. Hopefully, this team can stay healthy this year and get back to being the fantasy monster that we all love.

Key Additions and Losses

Additions:

• Jared Cook, TE

Losses:

• B.J. Raji, NT
• James Jones, WR
• John Kuhn, FB

QuarterBack Fantasy Outlook

Aaron Rodgers is a two-time league MVP and has been an absolute fantasy stud for most of his career. In 2015, Rodgers completed 60.7 percent of his passing attempts for 3,821 yards, 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions for the Packers. He also rushed the ball 58 times for 344 yards and one score last year as well for Green Bay. Right, now Rodgers is the second ranked fantasy quarterback this preseason and will be looking to have an even better stat line in 2016. With Jordy Nelson back, Randall Cobb back in the slot and Eddie Lacy back in game shape, Rodgers could end up being the best quarterback off the board this season.

In six of his eight NFL seasons, Rodgers has scored 300+ fantasy points per year for his loyal fantasy owners. Last year, with a less than stellar offense, he was able to put up 305 fantasy points, so I’m expecting that number to increase for the 2016 season. Rodgers will without a doubt be a hall of fame fantasy quarterback when his career is all said and done, especially after he rebounds this year for the Packers.

Grade: A+

 Running Back Fantasy Outlook

The Packers really lacked a formidable running game in 2015, which was a big part of the reason why they underachieved as an offense. Lacy was chosen as one of the top overall picks in most of our fantasy drafts last season and ruined a ton of our years with his lackluster play. This year, he comes into camp much lighter and will be looking to dazzle his fantasy owners like he did in 2014. Last season, Lacy rushed the ball 187 times for 758 yards and three touchdowns for the Packers. He finished the year with a subpar 120.6 fantasy points and wasn’t a big-time factor on anyone’s fantasy roster.

Lacy’s backup James Starks actually was the better back in 2015. Last season, Starks rushed the ball 148 times for 601 yards and two touchdowns for Green Bay in four starts. He also reeled in 43 passes for 392 yards and three scores as well for his fantasy owners. I really don’t expect Starks to be used near as much in this Packers offense this year as long as Lacy can stay healthy. He’ll be a great handcuff at best for your upcoming fantasy drafts, instead.

Grade: B

Wide Receiver Fantasy Outlook

Well, 2015 wasn’t so good for this Green Bay receiving group but I’m expecting much bigger stat lines this year. Like I mentioned earlier, Nelson went down with an ACL tear before the season even started, making this Packers offense mostly lackluster. In 2014, Nelson had an explosive season catching 98 passes on 151 targets for 1,519 yards and 13 touchdowns. He ended up scoring a massive 230 fantasy points, ending the year as the Number 2 ranked wide receiver. Nelson personally helped to lead me to a fantasy championship that year and I’m expecting him to be back to his killer ways in 2016.

When Nelson went down last offseason, I fully expected Cobb to have a career-defining season. Wow, was I wrong! He only caught 79 balls on 129 targets for 829 yards and six scores for the Packers. Well, these stats proved that he isn’t a sure-fire Number 1 receiver. Instead, Cobb is an ultra-consistent player out of the slot for Green Bay, who will go overlooked in this year’s fantasy drafts. In 2014, playing out of the slot, Cobb caught 91 passes on 127 targets for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns. I’m expecting those kinds of numbers from him once again this season, so draft this guy. Some other receivers to keep your eye on for Green Bay are Davante Adams and Jeff Janis but only in deeper leagues.

Grade: A

Tight End Fantasy Outlook

I’m not ultra confident once again this season with what Green Bay has to offer at the tight end spot for fantasy purposes. In 2015, Richard Rodgers caught 58 balls on 85 targets for 510 yards and eight scores. Now, he will have Jared Cook to battle with, who is a more athletic catching tight end in my opinion. Last season, Cook caught just 39 passes on 75 targets for 481 yards and no touchdowns for the Rams. Going from quarterbacks such as Nick Foles and Case Keenum to Rodgers could change Cook’s life, so I’m excited to see how he’ll fit into this Packers offense in 2016.

Grade: C-

Defensive Fantasy Outlook

The Packers front seven is mediocre at best, especially their linebackers. They do have some solid players in Julius Peppers, Clay Matthews and Mike Daniels but I just don’t see much more from this group. Like I said earlier, their linebackers aren’t solid at all and could hinder this defense quite a bit this year. The Packers secondary is something to be excited about, though. These guys could be elite in 2016 with players such as Damarious Randle and Quinten Rollins. Rollins was great for Green Bay last year, giving up completions on just 56.4 percent of his targets.

Everyone else in the secondary can be called above average, making this group a formidable force for this upcoming season. Both Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Morgan Burnett will both be viable options for this defense. If this unit meets its upside, it could become an elite force in the NFL this year, so get ready!

Grade: B-

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