Green Bay Packers 2015 predictions: TE Richard Rodgers

The Green Bay Packers have now taken step one of their 2015 marathon, and tight end Richard Rodgers will be one of the players I watch closest throughout camp. After some flirtation between free agent Jermaine Gresham and the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers seems to have the inside track on Andrew Quarless for the first-team snaps.

In past instalments of these 2015 predictions, we’ve look at Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams. This offense has me optimistic as they return the overwhelming majority of their starting snaps from 2014, and built around an underrated offensive line, there’s still room to go before they hit their ceiling.

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Rodgers will be a critical part of this, and will have ample opportunity to create over the middle with all eyes on Eddie Lacy and the formidable receiving corps. The predictions below assume that he overtakes the majority of three-down snaps in Green Bay’s offense, and I foresee a valuable season from the second-year tight end.

Targets & Receptions: 58 & 39

Rodgers posted 20 receptions in 2014 for 223 yards and three scores, so before we get started, let’s at least agree that those numbers will grow. The usage of Eddie Lacy in the passing game could threaten some of Rodgers’ short-area targets, but I am encouraged by the number of targets he could see.

Last season, he and Quarless combined to see 76 targets between them. I came away from 2014 very impressed with the strides that Rodgers had taken as a blocker, which should keep him on the field in more situations. While I don’t see him stretching any seams or splitting any safeties, I love his hands. Expect Rodgers to suck in passes like a vacuum and create first downs.

Receiving yards: 450

I expect his usage to be somewhat streaky based on the weekly game plan, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if Rodgers blows past this conservative prediction. This offense is waiting for a tight end to step up, and if one does, there will be plenty of opportunities to rack up the counting stats.

For fantasy football purposes the yardage totals may not be there quite yet, especially given the options for Aaron Rodgers elsewhere on the offense. You may strike it rich by streaming Rodgers on a touchdown week, but unless you’re in an extremely deep league, Rodgers remains a better “real football” option than fantasy option.

Receiving touchdowns: 4

I’m not expecting his touchdowns to shoot up by any means, but somewhere in the area of four seems reasonable. This is not a knock on Rodgers, but the reality of the tight end’s usage in Green Bay’s offense.

If Aaron Rodgers is not striking from deep to Nelson or Cobb, their red zone play calling often looks for one of those two along the back line of the end zone or in single coverage out wide. Rodgers’ ball placement allows for the team to attack those matchups, and don’t forget about Eddie Lacy gobbling up touches in close. When called upon, though, I expect Rodgers to convert at a high enough rate.

Next: Packers 2015 predictions: WR Davante Adams

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