Fantasy football is all about targeting breakout players in high-octane offenses that will put up points. The Green Bay Packers just so happen to qualify as a team with a brand new offense that is set to unleash on defenses in 2019. New head coach Matt Lafleur’s first order of business is getting the absolute most out of Aaron Rodgers. A dangerous number 12 is a weapon for your fantasy team this upcoming season. Here’s how and where to target Green Bay’s players in your drafts.
Davante Adams enters 2019 as an unquestioned first round pick. To many, he is seen as the number one wide receiver in fantasy terms. Adams is getting close to being just that in reality as well. The receiver from Fresno State has reeled in 35 touchdowns since 2016. That’s a lot of fantasy points. If you play in a point-per-reception league, Adams hauled in a career high 111 passes last year, and now the Packers are set to get him the ball even more. Aaron Rodgers has remarked on multiple occasions this off-season he would like “Tae” to see even more targets in the new scheme. This after a year in which he was thrown at 169 times. Adams average draft position currently sits at number eight overall. With increasing uncertainty surround the holdouts of star backs Ezekiel Elliott and Melvin Gordon, Davante should arguably, be drafted even higher. After the “big three”, of Alvin Kamara, Saquon Barkley, and Christian McCaffrey are gone, Adams will be my first round selection.
Packers third-year running back Aaron Jones has quite the hype train following him around these days. The former University of Texas-El Paso star has had many circle him as a breakout candidate in Matt Lafleur’s trendy zone running scheme. All accounts suggest Jones will be given every opportunity to take the reins of the Packers backfield and make good on his potential. Jones displays outstanding burst, balance and aggression through the hole. He does a tremendous job of “getting skinny” between blocks and always seems to fall forward. If he can further improve on his career yards-per-carry average of 5.5, and reel in more a few more passes, the sky is the limit for your fantasy team. Jones ADP sits at number 28, making him an early third round pick in a standard 12-team league. Target Jones early and often. He could very easily be a league winner.
Every Green Bay Packers fans’ favorite sleeper in 2019 is wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. I absolutely love the potential MVS has displayed thus far in his career, and believe he could easily be the next superstar receiver in a long line in Green Bay. Currently being drafted around pick number 111, the speedy wideout could end up being an absolute steal. Being drafted as WR #44, MVS could easily become a top-30 player at the position in 2019. He is exactly the type of sleeper you should be marking on your draft boards late in your fantasy drafts.
Geronimo Allison is a name seemingly long forgotten in fantasy draft circles this year. You should avoid this mistake. Fantasy junkies will take into account the fact that Allison was the number 26 through the first four weeks of 2018, before suffering injury. At this point in the off-season process, it seems apparent Allison will at worst be the wide receiver three in the Green Bay Packers offense. Starting alongside Davante Adams will open a whole lot of looks for number 81. Ignore Geronimo at your own peril, he may become the unheralded star of this offense before 2019 is over.
Backup running back Jamaal Williams is an intriguing target late in drafts, However, were the worst to happen, and injury befall Aaron Jones, rookie Dexter Williams has more upside. Dexter has looked particularly spry this pre-season, and his running style is an ideal fit for Matt Lafleur’s scheme. If you’re really desperate for a backup tight end, Jimmy Graham is always worth a late flier. A resurgent Graham would greatly aid the Packers in their quest to return to the playoffs. The new offense is tight end friendly, and Aaron Rodgers will get him the ball, can Graham actually hang onto it this year?
Number 12 himself is, of course, always a fantastic fantasy draft pick. Still, be sure not to rush and overdraft him, as quarterback remains the deepest fantasy position by a country mile. Sometime in the 5th or 6th round is an ideal spot to draft Rodgers. Pairing Rodgers with Adams or one of the breakout receivers is a fantastic strategy that could lead to many victories in 2019. Let’s hope those stats also lead to many wins for the Green Bay Packers. All the best in your fantasy endeavors this season.
Nick is a lifelong Packers fan. 4th and 26 was on his 13th birthday, unlucky. Follow him @CANDRAFTGEEK647 on Twitter for all your Packers draft needs and questions.
