Dynasty Capsule: Green Bay Packers
As part of the premium content package, we’re again unveiling dynasty capsules for every team in the NFL leading up to free agency and the NFL Draft. This year, we’re again going to do a follow-up on all the teams after all the free agency and NFL Draft movement to assess the impact of any players teams have gained or lost. Since these capsules are always done as a simple snapshot in time, we figured that was the best way to tackle the off-season and provide ultimate value for our subscribers. All in all, we’ll have close to 500 player profiles found in these capsules over the off-season.
General Manager Ted Thompson and Head Coach Mike McCarthy gambled the 2013 season on Aaron Rodgers staying healthy. Quite frankly, they lost. And so did nearly every fantasy owner that was invested in the Green Bay offense. We’ll take a look at the entire offense in today’s Dynasty Capsule.
Quarterbacks
Aaron Rodgers
After missing minimal time due to injury in five seasons since taking over as the starting quarterback in Green Bay, Rodgers missed seven games with a broken collarbone he suffered on the first drive of the Packers’ week nine loss to the Bears. He didn’t return until week 17 when most fantasy leagues were wrapped up.
Although he’s coming off an injury shortened season and is now 30, fantasy owners shouldn’t be concerned about Rodgers. He’s still one of (if not THE) top fantasy signal caller in the game. Dynasty owners should also keep in mind that Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Brett Favre all had their best fantasy season after they turned 30.
Rodgers one of the best and most consistent players in the league and will continue to be one of the most sought after commodities in fantasy football. If you play in a league that awards six-points for touchdown passes, he should be considered a top-three overall fantasy asset.
Scott Tolzien
After spending a couple years as a backup in San Francisco, Tolzien got his chance with the Packers after Rodgers and Seneca Wallace went down with injuries. He played in three games, completing 55 of 90 passes (61.1%) for 717 yards and a touchdown. The problem was he tossed five interceptions and because of that, lost his job to Matt Flynn.
Tolzien displayed a much stronger arm in 2013 that what he showed in college at Wisconsin and had one of the highlight touchdown runs of the season when he put a wicked spin move on a Vikings defender in week 12. With that said, it looks like he needs some time to develop his skills before seeing the field again. McCarthy has a history of helping young quarterbacks progress in his system and dynasty owners shouldn’t be surprised to hear from Tolzien again.
Wallace and Flynn are both free agents. Expect the Packers to bring back Flynn or sign another quarterback to compete with Tolzien for the backup job in Green Bay.
Running Backs
Eddie Lacy
After being drafted in the second round last year, questions ran rampant about Lacy. Some questioned his work ethic or whether he’d be able to stay healthy and nearly everybody seemed to have a problem with his weight. Many also wondered if fellow rookie Johnathan Franklin would take the starting role from him. His dynasty owners don’t have to worry about any of that now.
Lacy ran for 1,178 yards on 284 carries (4.1 YPC) and 11 touchdowns. He’s a very physical runner, always choosing to take on tacklers head on rather than trying to shake them. He breaks tackles, is effective around the goal line and has good hands out of the backfield, as displayed by the 35 receptions he had in 2013.
Overall, he’s everything the Packers have been looking for in a tailback since Ryan Grant had back-to-back 1,200 yard seasons in 2008 and 2009. He’s cemented himself into the lead role in Green Bay. Barring injury (he did suffer a concussion in week two), he should be relied upon by the Packers as well as dynasty owners for years to come.
Johnathan Franklin
Due to the impressive play of Lacy as well as a concussion, Franklin was used very sparingly as a rookie. He only touched the ball more than three times in a game once, in week three against the Bengals. In that game he was extremely explosive, carrying the ball 13 times for 103 yards and a touchdown while catching three passes for 23 yards. The only downfall of the afternoon was a lost fumble late in the game on a fourth down carry.
That game aside, Franklin’s season was very ho-hum. Reports out of Green Bay throughout training camp were that he was unimpressive and lacked drive which didn’t sit well with McCarthy.  After his breakout game in Cincinnati, he had only six carries for four yards over the rest of the season until suffering a concussion on the opening kickoff in week 12 and being put on injured reserve.
Due to James Starks and John Kuhn being free agents, Franklin has an opportunity to contribute in 2014 for the Packers. He’s quick, shifty and has good hands, making him an ideal third down back. It may not be what dynasty owners want to hear, but as long as Lacy is healthy, that might be the best case scenario.
DuJuan Harris
After coming on strong for the Packers late in 2012, Harris had high hopes of being the featured back in Green Bay. Instead, he missed the entire 2013 season with a knee injury.
Although he doesn’t have the size (5’7″, 215 pounds) or speed to be an every down back, he’s quick and he has a very powerful lower body. He’s a one-cut back with excellent balance and good hands, which should give him the chance to see the field in passing situations. At best, he could battle with Franklin for playing time as the third down/change of pace back for the Packers and split time with him if Lacy were to be injured.
Dynasty owners should expect the Packers to re-sign Kuhn. Reports out of Green Bay say the team is interested in bringing back Starks as long as the bidding doesn’t get out of control for his services. If Starks does return to Title Town, he’ll resume his role as the handcuff to Lacy.
Wide Receivers
Jordy Nelson
Nelson is one of the most underrated wide outs among many football fans and fantasy players. He’s one of only a handful of receivers who can play both outside and in the slot, runs excellent routes, has great hands and is very good after the catch. After Greg Jennings jumped the border into Minnesota last off-season, Nelson became Rodgers’ go to guy. In the eight games that he and Rodgers played together in 2013, Nelson caught 49 passes for 810 yards and seven touchdowns. Only 28 years old, Nelson’s contract is up after the 2014 season. Expect the Packers to try to sign him to an extension this off-season. If he does, pencil in Jordy’s name as a WR1 for at least a couple more seasons.
Randall Cobb
Of all the talented players on the Packers’ roster, Cobb might be the most gifted.
After catching 80 passes for 954 yards and eight touchdowns in 2012, many had lofty expectations for him in 2013. He started the season strong, catching 29 passes for 378 yards and two scores in four-and-a-half games – then he took a helmet to the leg while making a catch against the Ravens, breaking his leg.
If anybody questions the type of playmaker Cobb can be, they should turn on the tape of the Packers’ week 17 game against the Bears. He returned from the injury and in limited snaps, caught two passes for 55 yards and two touchdowns including the game winner.
He’s a dynamic play maker, lining up in the slot and the backfield as well as being a game changer in the return game. Lightning fast with the ability to change directions on a dime and incredibly effective at getting open once Rodgers leaves the pocket, Cobb has the potential to be the best slot receiver in the league. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him reach 100 catches in 2014 and along the way, become one of the premier wide receivers in PPR leagues.
Jarrett Boykin
With James Jones expected to test free agency, Boykin could have the opportunity to build on the 49 catch, 681 yard, three touchdown stat line he posted in 2013.
When Cobb went down with the injured leg, Boykin helped pick up the slack. With Nelson and Jones also on the field, he was routinely single covered and rarely faced the oppositions best cover man. With good ball skills and above average route running, he was able to do some damage but never showed game changing ability.
Overall, Boykin should be considered a fantasy asset only if Jones moves on in free agency and the Packers don’t bring in competition at the position. Whether it be Jones, Boykin or any other receiver, the number three wide out in Green Bay will have value to fantasy owners, but we shouldn’t expect any kind of consistency unless there is an injury to either Nelson or Cobb.
Chris Harper
Harper was drafted in fourth round of the 2013 NFL draft by the Seahawks and couldn’t beat out undrafted free agent Jermaine Kearse as the number five receiver in Seattle. He was then cut, signed to the practice squad, signed away by San Francisco and cut by the 49ers only to be claimed by the Packers. He only contributed on special teams for Green Bay.
A prototypical possession receiver, Harper is 6’1″ and 229 pounds. He has big hands and is excellent after the catch, many times drawing comparisons to Anquan Boldin during the draft process last year. If the Packers lose Jones to free agency and don’t make another move at receiver, he’s a player to monitor going into 2014.
Tight End
Brandon Bostick
With Jermichael Finley and Andrew Quarless as free agents, Bostick’s name is atop the Packers’ depth chart going into the off-season.
Reports out of Green Bay constantly mentioned Bostick as a breakout candidate over the last year, especially after Finley’s injury, but he wasn’t able to take advantage for the most part. On the season, he caught only seven passes for 120 yards and a touchdown. Those numbers shouldn’t discourage dynasty owners however. He played more basketball than football in college and is incredibly raw. Although he needs to improve as a blocker, he’s incredibly athletic and has displayed impressive hands.
Nearly every opportunity Bostick had in 2013 came with either Tolzien or Flynn at quarterback. With another off-season to hone his craft as well as Rodgers throwing him the ball, don’t be surprised if Bostick surpasses the typical 55 catch, 700 yard seasons Packers fans have been accustomed to seeing Finley put up over the past few seasons – assuming he gets the chance to start.
Ryan Taylor
Going into 2014, dynasty owners shouldn’t expect anything more than what Taylor did during his rookie season. He played primarily on special teams and only contributed six catches for 30 yards on offense.
If Finley isn’t re-signed (which would be very surprising considering the Packers refused to bring back former pro bowl safety Nick Collins after suffering the same injury) and Quarless moves on in free agency, expect Green Bay to bring in another tight end through free agency or more likely the draft. In any case, Taylor as well as fellow tight end Jake Stoneburner will return as specialists only.
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