Green Bay Packers
QB Aaron Rodgers (QB - #1) - Stud (low risk)
Everyone already knows how great Rodgers is. He threw for a career high 4,643 passing yards and had 48 total TDs. Green Bay led the league with 560 points scored. Rodgers is still in the prime of his career and is without question the top quarterback in the NFL. He didn't even play in Week 17 and was likely your league's top scorer regardless. The reigning MVP will be one of the first picks in your draft, so don't expect him to last long.
Update (8/8): If fantasy owners want to land Rodgers, they'd best have one of the first four or five picks in their draft. The former Cal standout is still universally considered the top quarterback in fantasy football. At the age of 28, he may be entering his prime.
RB Alex Green (RB - #32) - Dynasty Only
Even though Alex Green is battling back from ACL surgery and most would consider him a total non-factor, he has the highest potential to be the RB2 for the Green Bay Packers. This third round pick from the University of Hawaii has a good all-around game. There's no hard evidence that James Starks can handle or stay healthy through 200-plus touches, which means someone is going to see more playing time from this backfield. Green is on track to be healthy for training camp and could surprise some folks should Starks be sidelined.
Update (08/27): Green is close to 100-percent now that he is nine months removed from ACL surgery. He will likely be the Packers' third option behind Cedric Benson and James Starks when he's healthy again.
RB James Starks (RB - #62) - Quality Backup
The running back position in Green Bay is bit of a formality. They do run the ball about 20 times per game, but this is a pass-first offense. James Starks had 133 carries last year compared to Ryan Grant's 134. Grant is out of the picture (which is great for Starks), but it's not as though Starks will see 250-plus carries. Starks is a low-end RB2 with some bonus value in PPR leagues. Starks is a nice option as long as he isn't a reach.
Update (8/12): The Packers have signed running back Cedric Benson because of Starks' turf toe injury which is considered "week-to-week."
Update (08/27): Benson will begin the season as Green Bay's starting running back. Starks will likely be used as a change-of-pace second option when fully healthy.
RB John Kuhn (RB - #64) - Not Draft Worthy
John Kuhn is the poacher of touchdowns. He did manage to score six times, but there's no predicting it. Kuhn might only touch the football two or three times per game, so he's hardly a reliable fantasy player. He'll touch the ball around the end zone as a checkdown option. In Week 14, he did accumulate 10 carries for 46 yards, so in emergency situations he can be the primary back. Kuhn is definitely not the handcuff option behind James Starks.
WR Jordy Nelson (WR - #11) - Solid/Safe Pick
Will Jordy Nelson score 15 touchdowns again this year? Probably not, but it is possible for him to improve upon his 68 receptions last year. Head coach Mike McCarthy has already stated he wants to use Nelson more often in the slot, which should provide James Jones more opportunities. Nelson is a low-risk draft choice, but it all depends on where he is selected. If he can be drafted as your WR2, that's a great fit. Relying on him as your top receiver is a riskier proposition because it is so unlikely he scores 15 TDs again.
WR Greg Jennings (WR - #14) - Stud (low risk)
It was clear that Green Bay wasn't quite the same after Greg Jennings was injured in Week 14. He is their clear-cut No. 1 WR and his reliable production is an asset to any fantasy squad. Excluding the Week 14 game he was injured in, Jennings scored in nine of his 12 games. Considering the Packers have to be the favorite to lead the league in scoring again, there's no reason to downgrade Jennings from anything but a stud WR1 for fantasy owners.
Update (08/27): Jennings is back in action after a concussion kept him out of two preseason games.
WR Randall Cobb (WR - #53) - Sleeper (undervalued)
Everybody saw what Randall Cobb could do when he scored two touchdowns in the first game of the year against the New Orleans Saints. After that, he was relatively quiet, only scoring once more (via punt return) all season. That's not to say he isn't talented though. Cobb should be considered the early favorite to succeed Donald Driver for the WR4 spot; to take this one step further, he has the ability to potentially succeed James Jones as well. Cobb is very explosive. He needs to improve his route-running, but he's very young and has a much higher long-term ceiling than Jones.
Update (08/27): Despite his immense potential, it appears Cobb won't advance ahead of Jones on the depth chart and his primary role will be as a kick returner in 2012. Only an injury ahead of him would propel him onto your fantasy team.
WR James Jones (WR - #57) - Sleeper (undervalued)
The talent is there, it just hasn't seemed to click for James Jones yet. He did have a career-high seven TDs last year, but everybody on the Packers scored a bunch. Jones needs to more firmly establish himself as a potential WR2 (which would put Jordy Nelson in the slot). He will now have to compete with Randall Cobb and let's not forget Donald Driver. Green Bay is one of the few teams in the league that can support three fantasy wide receivers, yet Jones needs to take another big step to become a regular starter for your fantasy squad.
WR Donald Driver (WR - #72) - Not Draft Worthy
Donald Driver, the ageless wonder, isn't quite producing like he used to, but he can still have big games. He scored four times in Green Bay's last five games. The question for Driver is whether he'll be able to hold off Randall Cobb. Even though he will push James Jones for the WR3 spot, Driver isn't much of a fantasy commodity. He only sees four or five targets per game, at best and that's not going to cut it.
Update (8/12): Driver is now listed at the No. 5 spot on the depth chart.
TE Jermichael Finley (TE - #19) - Stud (low risk)
There seems to be a perception out there that Jermichael Finley should be having a better career. Even though 2011 was his best season, it seems people expect more than just 55 receptions for 767 yards and eight TDs. Sure, in this high-flying offense, Finley should be able to put up Jimmy Graham or even Rob Gronkowski numbers. The issue is just that this offense has so many weapons that the fantasy points are spread out. Some weeks Finley will disappear, that's the nature of his team. That doesn't make him an underachieving TE and he should be thought of as one of the top TEs available.
TE Tom Crabtree (TE - #48) - Not Draft Worthy
Not even in the deepest of league formats will you find Crabtree on any roster. When he is on the field, his role is strictly to pass protect or run block. Although a small handful of passes end up going his way, Crabtree isn't anywhere near productive enough to merit your fantasy consideration.
PK Mason Crosby (K - #4) - Stud (low risk)
When a kicker converts 68 extra points, he's a no-brainer. Mason Crosby doesn't kick for an elite average, but he can kick the occasional 50-plus yarder. Green Bay is nearly a lock to score at least 500 points this season, making Crosby one of few safe choices available in your draft. Just remember to not reach for him and hope he's available in your league's final round.
Green Bay Defense (Def - #3) - Solid/Safe Pick
Green Bay's defense will force a lot of turnovers and sacks, but their aggressive style of play can get them into trouble as well. Adding rookie pass rusher Nick Perry alongside Clay Matthews was a great pick and this team still has some of the best young talent in the NFL, whether it's B.J. Raji, Desmond Bishop, Matthews, Tramon Williams or Morgan Burnett. If your league awards fewer points for sacks and turnovers and instead focuses on points/yards allowed, bump Green Bay down your rankings as more of a low-end DEF1.
