Green Bay Packers Fantasy Profile: Week 1
By Kenn Korb
Aug 13, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks to pass the ball during the first quarter against the New England Patriots in a preseason NFL football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
QB – Aaron Rodgers
Last Season: 341/520, 4381 passing yards, 38 passing TDs, 5 INTs, 269 rush yards; 2 rushing TDs; 357.10 fantasy points
Mr. Rodgers is back, and fully healthy. Chicago should be afraid.
We already know Rodgers is great; he’s coming of his second MVP, throws TDs all day long and avoids turnovers better than any quarterback in history. According to the thinking of many, including sources such as John Clayton at ESPN, he may already be one of the 10 best if he never takes another snap.
His QBR* last season was 77.4, behind only Tony Romo on the year. His 38 TDs were third league-wide, only two behind Andrew Luck’s league-leading 40. And in terms of fantasy points — most important to this particular post — he was #2 behind Luck.
Even though he’ll be missing his favorite weapon this season (Jordy Nelson), this should be another strong season from the leader of the Pack. And it starts here in Week 1.
On any given day, Rodgers can carve up even the best defenses. Against a depleted defense like the current Bears outfit, he should have no problem loading up on stats. Even with no Nelson to catch his passes at ridiculous angles, his cache of weaponry is superb.
I’ll highlight the players he’s throwing to more in-depth in those respective sections, but to keep things short there are plenty of people he can look to in the passing game up and down the field. And of course if things break down on him, he can always dump it off short or break off a run or two of his own.
The Bears defense just won’t have any answers, no matter who is coaching them now.
Week 1 Prediction: 275 passing yards, 3 TDs, 23.00 Fantasy Points
Verdict: Must-Start