Fantasy Football 2019 Team Previews: Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers

Must Own

Davante Adams, WR (ADP: 6): Adams is the consensus No. 2 receiver off the board, and is comfortably drafted in the middle of the first round after a breakout 2018 campaign. Adams has been an excellent fantasy option for three years now, but 2018 was the first season in which he cracked the 1,000-yard mark (1,386 yards). He also posted 13 touchdowns, the third consecutive season in which he scored 10 or more times. Lastly, his reception total leapt from 74 to 111, a number that is less a fluke, and moreso him coming into his new reality. Adams is as safe an option as you’ll find in fantasy, and I don’t mean that as in locking in a high floor with a low ceiling. Adams is a complete beast.

Aaron Jones, RB (ADP: 30): Jones flashed a ton as a rookie, and continued to do so in 2018 before the Packers finally handed him the reins. He’s averaged 5.5 yards per carry in back-to-back seasons, and totaled nine touchdowns last season. With a full complement of carries, Jones is going to have RB1 value provided he stays healthy. Jones also caught 74.3% of his targets last season, so he won’t need to come off the field on passing downs. It’s very easy to imagine talking about Jones next season in the first round conversation.

Aaron Rodgers, QB (ADP: 51): Rodgers is still probably the best QB in football, and even though his TD numbers plummeted last season, sinking many fantasy owners who spent a fourth or fifth round pick on him, he remains the best in the NFL at not turning the ball over. Rodgers hasn’t hit double-digit interceptions since 2010, and with head coach Mike McCarthy gone, we may see a revitalized A-Rod. I believe in Rodgers as an elite fantasy QB, but even with that said this is an ADP I’m not willing to buy him at. His recent injury history adds risk, so wait, and if he falls to Round 6 or 7, pounce.

Fantasy Relevant

Geronimo Allison, WR (ADP: 129): And we’re now out of reliable Packers. Beyond Adams, there are a slew of possible benefactors of Rodgers’ greatness. At this point, the next man up is probably Allison, based on his three seasons with the team and his promising performance last year before injury wrecked his season. Allison was able to total 20 receptions, 303 yards and two touchdowns at a healthy 15.2 yards per catch clip. If Adams is the new Jordy Nelson, Allison has the potential to be the 2019 Randall Cobb. Please ignore the fact that Cobb is still active and on the Cowboys. Thanks! As of this writing Allison is the 49th WR off the board, and I’ve got him ranked significantly higher than that. So don’t be afraid to reach.

Marquez Valdez-Scantling, WR (ADP: 126): Valdes-Scantling has received significant offseason hype, and is now going three spots ahead of Allison. I’m not ready to put him ahead, however, because he’s likely going to man the slot full-time and I believe that will limit his touchdown upside. MVS is potentially a better option than Allison in PPR formats, and maybe even in half-PPR formats, but we fantasy owners will have to decide which we like better and take the plunge. As great as Rodgers is, he rarely supports more than two fantasy-relevant pass-catchers. That will be especially true this season with a legitimate running game.

Handcuffs

Jamaal Williams, RB (ADP: 188): Williams has had chances to take the ball and run with it to no avail. He has averaged 3.7 yards per carry in his two NFL seasons, and shown competent, but not exceptional receiving skills. He’s worth handcuffing to Jones because the starter in Green Bay will have value, but Jones owners are the only folks who have any business drafting him.

Deep Sleepers

J’Mon Moore, WR (ADP: N/A): Moore does not have an ADP, so he’s among the deepest of sleepers I’ll put in front of you. Moore will 100% need an injury to have a shot at relevance, but his college track record makes him interesting if he gets a shot to catch passes from Rodgers. He posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons at Missouri, but only received three targets last year for the Packers. There is absolutely talent here, but it’s unclear if he will have the chance to show what he can do. You do not need to draft Moore, but keep an eye on his progress.

Equanimeous St. Brown, WR (ADP: 280): St. Brown is the  opposite of Moore. He had an impressive nine-touchdown season at Notre Dame as a sophomore, but has never topped 1,000 yards at the college level nor hit 10 touchdowns. St. Brown is a physical freak, but the NFL requires so much more than athletic ability. It’s easy to envision him striking for a few big plays this season, but he won’t approach any level of consistency.

Jimmy Graham, TE (ADP: 171): Graham absolutely sucked last season, and his ADP reflects a community of drafters that has moved on from the former superstar. But, he’s only one year removed from a 10-touchdown campaign. I think Graham is done, but if you’re the type to take your TE at the end of the draft with your kicker and defense, he could wind up being a TD-dependent, back-of-the-Top 12 type weekly option.