Packers-Seahawks Fantasy Reaction: Where are Green Bay’s pass catchers?

The Green Bay Packers had the early game this past week, playing the Seahawks on Thursday night at CenturyLink Field. The end result didn’t give the Packers a win, but there’s still time to turn things around. Aaron Rodgers was mostly effective and efficient, but his options were limited.

The Packers play a second primetime game this coming week when they take on the Vikings in Minnesota. There’s still time to turn things around and hopefully the fantasy gods will allow other players to emerge.

Stock Up

Aaron Rodgers, QB

We might just remember the last throw Rodgers made during the game that feebly skipped into the turf, but Rodgers was otherwise performing as a great fantasy quarterback. He posted a 128.8 passer rating while throwing for 332 yards and two scores.

Averaging 11 yards per throw throughout the game, it’s a little bonkers that McCarthy didn’t go for it on fourth-and-two, but also that they chose to try and throw a bubble screen the down before. With the entire season on the line next week, the hope is that they let Rodgers go crazy and be free to make plays.

Aaron Jones, RB

The next step in Jones’ development as a number one running back was on full display. His touches were up, most importantly in the passing game. He had the second most targets on the team with six leading to five catches and 63 yards. He added a touchdown on the ground as well as one through the air, where for a split second, I thought it was Davante Adams making the grab.

The rub is that Aaron Jones had 88 yards and two TD’s at the half. His usage dropped off a cliff in the second half for reasons that are still unclear. The good news is that Jones can get you 15-20 fantasy points in a half. The bad news? You’ll be pulling your hair out wondering why he’s not getting 30.

Robert Tonyan, TE

Tonyan only had one catch for 54 yards, but the touchdown was on a vintage Aaron Rodgers play. Rodgers was outside the pocket, and Tonyan stretched all the way deep across the field into the end zone as the play started to break down. No big deal, right? Well, the thing is, it’s the sort of play that has been missing from the Packers offense all season. So far, Adams is the only player who looks like he knows when Rodgers needs to extend a play. Tonyan stepped in and already knew what to do.

Jimmy Graham broke his thumb during the game, so it’s unknown how effective he’ll be going forward. Anyone who watched Tonyan during the preseason loved how he played and he was good enough to make the Packers keep four tight ends on the roster. Keep watching his stock.

Stock Down

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR

Raise your hand if you started MVS in the flex hoping for another 10-point outing. Plenty of people did (myself included) and you either paid the price or thanked your lucky stars for Davante Adams or Tyreek Hill.

MVS only registered one catch on three targets, despite being the second passing option. It was really quite a disappointing outing for all Packers receivers not named Adams. With Cobb coming back into the fold soon, the Packers might look at this game as a reason to give him more targets than the rookies.

Jimmy Graham, TE

As stated before, Graham broke his thumb during this game. And while he plans to play through it, it’s unclear how well he can play with the injury.

His return to Seattle was also a muted affair as he only recorded a single catch for 13 yards before exiting. This marks the third game in four outings that Graham has had only one catch in a game resulting in single-digit fantasy points. If you own Graham, it’s probably time to look elsewhere.