QB Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay)
In his last 27 games, including the playoffs, Rodgers has thrown for 72 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and 7912 yards. Over 16 games, that’s 43 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and 4689 yards. He’s also rushed for 1136 yards and 12 touchdowns in 4 years. Yeah, he’s the top fantasy quarterback. Your biggest concern with him if he’s your fantasy quarterback is that the Packers have such a good season that he doesn’t have to play weeks 16-17.
Projection: 4580 passing yards, 40 passing touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 300 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns (375 pts standard, 455 pts in 6 pt TD leagues)
RB Cedric Benson (Green Bay)
8/27/12: Cedric Benson is reportedly really impressing the Packers, to the point where James Starks might not even make the roster, in favor of a less injury prone, albeit less talented option like Brandon Saine. Benson will be the clear lead back on an explosive offense, albeit one that doesn’t run much, while Alex Green will serve solely as a change of pace back.
8/13/12: The Packers have signed Cedric Benson. He’ll get the opportunity to run behind a great offensive line and he’ll have plenty of room to run with the Packers’ passing game spreading things out. Heading into his age 30 season, he’s got little to no explosion, but he can run through holes and he should get the bulk of the Packers’ early down work as he was signed in response to James Starks’ disappointing Training Camp, preseason, and his recent turf toe injury. He’s also shown surprisingly durability with 956 touches over the past 3 seasons, 5th in the league over that time period behind only Ray Rice, Maurice Jones-Drew, Chris Johnson, and Steven Jackson. On top of all that, he’ll get the goal line work on one of the league’s most explosive offenses. He’s the Packers’ running back to own.
Projection: 160 carries 720 rushing yards 7 total touchdowns 20 catches 140 receiving yards (128 pts standard/148 pts PPR)
RB Alex Green (Green Bay)
8/13/12: Benson’s signing doesn’t hurt Green as much as it did Starks, as Green is a different kind of back, a speed, change of pace, passing catching back. However, a more crowded backfield is never a good thing for a back and it looks like Green’s role will be almost purely 3rd down and change of pace unless there are injuries.
8/7/12: Alex Green is finally healthy and impressing in Training Camp. He’ll be a change of pace back to James Starks, but Starks is oft injured. Green has the ability to pass catch and break off long runs and is a major sleeper. The only issue with him is he’s never had more than 146 carries in a season either in college or in the NFL and he’s coming off a torn ACL.
Green was actually the Packers 3rd round pick in 2011, but he missed all of last season with a torn ACL, an injury he’s not 100% recovered from, and 2011 undrafted free agent Brandon Saine is listed above him on the depth chart. Green’s specialty is catching the football, something he’ll have a lot of opportunities to do on Green Bay’s explosive offense, but he’ll probably only see the field on 3rd downs in a specialized role.
Projection: 100 carries 470 rushing yards 4 total touchdowns 26 catches 210 receiving yards (92 pts standard/118 pts PPR)
WR Greg Jennings (Green Bay)
Greg Jennings managed 67 catches for 949 yards and 9 touchdowns last year in 13 games, good for 82 catches for 1168 yards and 11 touchdowns. If he stays healthy for 16 games this year, something he had done in the 3 previous years, he should not only match those numbers, but surpass them. His 14.2 YPC last year was way lower than average and if he does catch a career high 82 balls this year, definitely a possibility the way Aaron Rodgers is playing, he should have a career high in yards as well.
Projection: 82 catches 1310 receiving yards 11 receiving touchdowns (197 pts standard/279 pts PPR)
WR Jordy Nelson (Green Bay)
In 13 games with Greg Jennings healthy last year, Nelson had 51 catches for 957 yards and 10 touchdowns. Over 16 games, that’s 63 catches for 1178 yards and 12 touchdowns, but that’s assuming you think he can keep up 18.6 YPC. For someone with a career 15.1 YPC even with last year factored in, that seems a little crazy.
The stats didn’t show it last year, but Jennings is Rodgers’ favorite target, not Nelson. In the 13 games they played together, Jennings was targeted 96 times, Nelson 58 times. Their receiving stats should reflect that this season barring injuries. That being said, Nelson is still talented enough to go over 1000 yards with Rodgers throwing him the ball.
Projection: 63 catches 1030 receiving yards 12 receiving touchdowns (175 pts standard/238 pts PPR)
TE Jermichael Finley (Green Bay)
Is this the year Jermichael Finley finally puts it all together? He’s definitely flashed at times, including 21 catches for 301 yards and a score in 4 games in 2010, and a strong end to the 2009 season. However, he’s very inconsistent. All that being said, if he just cuts his drops in half (12 to 6) he’ll have a major improvement on 2011, when he caught 55 passes for 767 yards and 8 touchdowns (not too shabby). There’s definitely plenty of upside here.
Projection: 63 catches 880 receiving yards 8 receiving touchdowns (136 pts standard/199 pts PPR)
[switch_ad_hub]
[switch_ad_hub]
[switch_ad_hub]
Football Fan Spot 