Packers-Patriots Fantasy Recap: Green Bay’s offense is limiting fantasy values

Well, this isn’t where the Packers wanted to be when the season started, but here we are. At 3-4-1, the Packers haven’t only been frustrating on the gridiron, but in fantasy football matchups as well. Outside of Davante Adams, it’s tough to get any consistent points out of these guys.

Many have pointed to Mike McCarthy (myself included) at times for the stale offense and having the weapons. They have the quarterback, the running back and a stud wide receiver, so they should be able to move the ball effectively. It’s about to be Week 10 and eventually your identity for the season is just already set.

The fantasy playoff stretch is around the corner so let’s take a close look at who’s trending up and who’s trending down after Week 9.

Stock Up:

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR

MVS only brought in three catches, but boy were they exciting to behold. Including a catch where he climbed the ladder on a 3rd and 1 play that felt like a sneak peek of things to come. His three catches were good for 101 yards and while he didn’t find the end zone, it was nice to see him take a step to grab the WR3 spot and possibly become the number two option. His six targets were a great indicator for the future and Geronimo Allison is likely taking a trip to injured reserve. The Packers have been finding themselves down in a lot of games recently, so the passing opportunities could be available.

Jimmy Graham, TE

There weren’t a lot of bright spots through this game, but watching Graham find the end zone was good to see. Bringing in four catches for 55 yards, Graham was used as the big target the Packers envisioned he could be. Where Graham has struggled in the offense is making plays after the original play breaks down. Aaron Rodgers’ bread-and-butter is making plays after all the reads have been exhausted. Davante Adams looks like the only one who has the knack for making those plays, which does come with time and reps alongside Rodgers. Keep an eye out to see if Graham puts in those effort plays after he’s done running his route or is double-teamed.

Stock Down

Aaron Rodgers, QB

Got to call it when you see it. What was expected as a firework battle between two Hall of Fake quarterbacks, turned into a battle of other players failing to show up in prime time. Rodgers was 24-for-43, but it’s disconcerting watching him throw the ball out-of-bounds when no one can get open. And far too often, no one can get open. If he had three Davante Adams to throw to, then that’d be great! But until the offense becomes a little more imaginative, it’s going to feel like Rodgers is a tiger locked in a zoo.

Randall Cobb, WR

For those hoping Cobb would come back with some flex value, they were largely disappointed. Cobb looks like he’s athletic enough, but the ridiculous ways in which the Packers try to get the ball in his hands isn’t going to amount to a lot of production. He had five catches for 24 yards on six targets. His Week 1 game against the Bears was definitely the outlier and the rookie wide outs are starting to earn targets that would normally be reserved for the veteran.