The Green Bay Receiving Hierarchy

Posted by Brandon Rifkin on September 13, 2011   Jump To Comments

If there’s one thing about the 2011 Packers that we know for sure, it’s that they are going to throw the ball.   A LOT.  Aaron Rodgers is possibly the best quarterback in the league, and the running game is mediocre at best.  That right there is a recipe for weekly aerial assaults.  But where are all those passes going?  If week 1 was any indication, this could be a very dynamic situation.  Let’s take a look at who A-Rodge will be slinging to this year (targets are from week 1).

1) Greg Jennings – 8 targets. I think we can all safely agree that it’s no surprise to see GregJen leading the team in targets.  He’s unquestionably the top dog of the receiving corps, and another 1,200 yard season seems like a lock.  WR1 in fantasy.  GREG JEN-NINGS:

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This will never get old.

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2) Jordy Nelson – 8 targets. And here’s where it starts getting interesting.  After an up-and-down 2010 regular season, Rodger started looking 87′s way all day in the postseason.  Jordy finished the playoffs with 21 catches, including a HOT 9-140-1 line against the Steelers in the Super Bowl.  After one game this year, I feel pretty safe labeling him Rodgers’ second favorite target.  I’d roll with Nelson in fantasy as a WR2/3, without question.

3) Jermichael Finley – 4 targets. I think the Packers might still be easing Finley back into a superstar role, but that back-shoulder completion confirmed all of my biggest hopes and dreams: Rodgers to Finley is going to be a common theme throughout the season.  How would you NOT throw it his way when in doubt?  Dude’s a monster.  A stud.  Just stay healthy.  PLEASE.

4) Donald Driver – 7 targets. True, he was right there with Jennings and Nelson from a target perspective.  But I think it’s pretty clear that while DD still has something left in the tank, Rodgers is building the necessary chemistry with Nelson to take over as the #2 receiver in Green Bay.  Personally, I’m not using Donald in fantasy this year.  Not nearly enough upside to justify rostering him.

5) James Jones – 1 target. 1 target, 1 catch, 1 yard.  I’m gonna go ahead and guess that Jones will be burning his jersey and shoes from this game.  Still, he must have come back to the Packers for a reason.  There’s simply no way he falls off the map like some people seem to think (most of those people are probably Cobb owners).  I’m expecting Rodgers to find him a few times early this weekend to bring his confidence back up and keep him involved.  Gotta love ol’ Junk Hand Jones.

6) Randall Cobb – 2 targets. Listen, I’m stupid excited about this kid as well.    I’ve already ordered by SLOB ON MY COBB jersey.  The future is bright with this one.  But he’s still the 5th wide receiver.  It’s not like the guys ahead of him don’t deserve to be there – they’re all quite talented.  And Cobb will get his shot.  But for now, he’ll struggle to get enough snaps to consistently make a difference in the passing game.  Did that stop me from picking him up in multiple leagues?  HELL NO.  Rule #2 of fantasy sports: Add first, ask questions later.*  If you’re in a return yardage league, Cobb is a must-add.  I mean, you did see this, didn’t you?

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*Rule #1 of fantasy sports is to do at least one draft per season per sport in person.  I understand the convenience of an online draft, but nothing compares to getting together with a bunch of your friends/enemies (enemies are a MUST) , talking shit, smashing beers and laughing at the guy who drafted Gostkowski in the 9th round.

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Check out more of Brandon’s stuff at The Hot Glove, on Twitter, and on his Tumblr page.