Summer Sleeper: Green Bay Packers
With less than a month before all training camps have opened around the NFL, we begin our annual series focusing on a few sleepers from all 32 teams in the NFL.
These sleepers all have varying levels of “sleeperness,” but all merit a little more talking about here in the Premium Content section. Some of these players are deep dynasty sleepers who could merit a spot on your bench in a deep league, while others are players who may contribute a little faster than the deep prospects, but deserve more attention than they may be getting. By definition, a sleeper could mean something a little different to everyone, but we’re simply doing the best job we can to unearth one player from each team who fits the category in some way, shape or form.
We’ll never insult you with a comprehensive list of “sleepers” that includes such names as Lamar Miller, Chris Ivory or Danny Amendola. You’re all too good for that.
While many of these players will undoubtedly fizzle, there’s more value in looking more closely at these deeper prospects and players. We invite you to keep an open mind and either or re-assess your value on those who may be rostered in your league or consider adding a few of these deeper prospects we focus on this Summer who are free agents in your league – after all, some are destined to pan out, too.
Feel free to add your own comments about our choice for the designated sleeper, or nominate one of your own!
Packers have been one of those teams that always seems to be in the fantasy spotlight due to the passing proficiencies of Aaron Rodgers. He has made fantasy studs of many good but not great talents like Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson. Jennings is gone but Randall Cobb is stepping up to the plate. In the draft the Packers made a point to fix their non-existent running game by adding Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin to their roster. The hope is that a consistent running game will help to push the offense to the next level and the Packers to a championship.
Even with the additions in the backfield, we all know that the Packers will be a passing team first and foremost, which means the real value is running down the field catches passes from Rodgers. With all of the attention the Packers receive, everyone already knows about rookie Charles Johnson. Personally, I think he is overhyped, but we’ve already covered that. Let’s look somewhere else for this sleeper and we are going to need to dig deep since the Packers roster is so well known.
DJ Williams, TE GB
Age: 24 (09/10/88)
Williams is a former fifth round pick of the Packers from the 2011 NFL draft. As our own Jeff Haverlack discovered, tight ends drafted after the third round are extremely hit and miss, but that is part of what makes Williams a deep sleeper. He is a bit undersized for an NFL tight end coming in at 6’2” and 245 pounds, but he is a H-back and more of a pure pass catcher from the tight end position much like the now infamous Aaron Hernandez.
When it comes to talent, Williams definitely has it. He has very good speed for his size running the 40 yard dash in 4.59 seconds. He also runs nice routes that help him gain more separation when pure speed won’t do. Best of all might be that he has very good hands and hauls in just about anything that is within his frame. His talent was on display in college where he won the John Mackey Award in 2010 which is annually given to the nation’s top college tight end. He also broke numerous Arkansas records for tight ends even though he only started three years.
He is about to enter his third year in the NFL which is about when you expect to start seeing some returns on tight ends, which is one of the slowest developing positions at the next level. Unfortunately for him, Jermichael Finley is still on the roster and pretty much locked in as the starting tight end for the Packers. Finley is bigger than and almost as fast as Williams. However, saying Finley has been inconsistent might be a little generous. He has struggled with drops, keeping his head in the game and maturity issues.
All three of those are issues Williams hasn’t ever had. In fact, in college, Williams was praised multiple times for his positive attitude, leadership and maturity. In that regard, he is the anti-Aaron Hernandez and has Finley beat hands down. Fortunately for Williams, Finley is going to be a free agent after this season. Unless Finley can live up to the hype and all of his potential, I don’t see him coming back to Green Bay. The Packers very rarely spend big in free agency and I think that the last two year contract that Finley signed was his last chance with the team. If he leaves, that could easily open the door for someone like Williams to step up and be the athletic pass catcher over the middle of the field that the Packers desire.
Being realistic, there isn’t a big chance (barring an injury to Finley) Williams produces much this season. He will be behind Finley on the depth chart and the Packers run more three and four wide receiver sets than two tight end sets. There have also been some whispers and rumors flying around that Williams might be a trade target for the Patriots. While I doubt the Packers are ready to give up on him and trade him, it would make Williams viable this year. Otherwise I think that you’re looking at him as a mid-season addition or a deep roster stash in hopes that he gets the opportunity to step up and show what he can do in 2014. If Finley moves on, he could be in the same position as Robert Housler is this year.
Keep your eye on him.
- Final 2021 Pre-Draft Rookie Mock: Round Three - April 28, 2021
- Final 2021 Pre-Draft Rookie Mock: Round Two - April 26, 2021
- Final 2021 Pre-Draft Rookie Mock: Round One - April 25, 2021
