Fantasy Football Team Preview: Packers

With Fantasy Football season ready to kick in high gear, FanHouse is here to preview each and every team -- one per day until we've done them all.

Meet The ...
The team that happily doesn't have to wonder if Brett Favre is coming to camp. Following a future hall of famer and face of the franchise isn't east. But, Aaron Rodgers make it look that way. In his first full year, Rodgers started all 16 games and threw for 4,038 yards and 28 touchdowns. Rodgers spread the love to two 1,000 yard receivers in Greg Jennings and Donald Driver and enjoyed a 1,203 yard campaign from his running back Ryan Grant, who battled through injuries and a somewhat slow start to the season. The key players from 2008 are still around heading into 2009 and there's no reason to think Rodgers shouldn't grow as a quarterback and the rest of the crew around him benefit from his experience.

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The Breakout
Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin hopes to run the ball more in 2009. While that will benefit Ryan Grant, it also could greatly expand the role of third down back Brandon Jackson. Jackson rushed for 248 yards last season as Grant's backup, but averaged 5.5 yards per carry, compared to Grant's 3.9 yards per carry. Combine the yards per carry difference with the fact that Grant fumbled (three times) almost as much as he scored (five times) and you have a recipe for Jackson to really steal some of the workload from Jackson.

The Bust
While most of the offensive components made smooth transitions from Favre to Aaron Rodgers, tight end Donald Lee suffered. His receiving yards were cut nearly in half from 575 yards in 2007 to 303 yards in 2008 and he had close to 20% fewer receptions. Also consider that Jermichael Finley has been an absolute beast in OTA's this summer and you have the makings of a hostile takeover at the tight end position. It wouldn't be a far cry to see Finley with more receptions at the end of the season than Lee.

The Depth Chart
QB1 - Aaron Rodgers
QB2 - Matt Flynn
RB1 - Ryan Grant
RB2 - Brandon Jackson
WR1 - Greg Jennings
WR2 - Donald Driver
WR3 - Jordy Nelson / James Jones
WR4 - Ruvell Martin
TE1 - Donald Lee
TE2 - Jermichael Finley
K - Mason Crosby

The D/ST
The defense took some lumps last season falling from a fifth ranked squad overall in 2007 to 17th in 2008. The Packers addressed that issue in a number of ways. First, they brought in a new coordinator in Dom Capers. Capers plans to unveil a more aggressive, attacking style and introduce Cheeseheads to the 3-4 defense. Management also lent a helping hand to the defense by using two first round picks in the draft on defensive tackle B.J. Raji and linebacker Clay Matthews. Both should make an immediate impact.

The Packers led the NFL in defensive touchdowns in 2008. They got three from free safety Nick Collins and two from cornerback Charles Woodson. Include Will Blackmon's two punt return touchdowns from last season and the defense and special teams units are highly explosive from a scoring standpoint. If Capers new look defense tightens things up, Green Bay could move back towards a top-five fantasy defense.

The Skinny
- Growing as a number one target, Greg Jennings broke out in 2008. But, he hasn't topped out yet. He led the league in 40-yard or more receptions with eight and finished with a touchdown and 70 or more yards receiving in 14 of his 16 games in 2008. Expect more of the same and an increase to his career high 80 receptions and 1,292 yards receiving as his relationship with Aaron Rodgers continues to grow.

- The Packers didn't need a receiver when they used their second round pick in 2008 on Jordy Nelson, but they saw the 6-3 receiver as the future compliment to Greg Jennings. He's been impressive in OTA's, even called an offensive stand-out. His receiving yards could double this season from his rookie campaign of 366 yards.

- In Capers' new 3-4 scheme, Aaron Kampman could flourish. Sure he's been a defensive end his entire NFL career, but he did play linebacker in college at Iowa. He'll now be featured in pass rush situations and could become a DeMarcus Ware type defender. Expect a lot of sacks from Kampman.