NFL Comeback Player Of The Year 2016: Top 10 Candidates

3. WR Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers

Jordy started every game on the Packers schedule the two years prior to tearing his ACL in a preseason game and missing the entire 2015 season. Expectations for Nelson were high heading into last year’s slate. In 2014, he had the best season of his then seven-year career, hauling in 98 passes (7th most in the NFL) for 1,519 yards and 13 touchdowns. The man they call “White Lightning” made the Pro Bowl roster and was voted Second-Team All-NFL by the Associated Press and Pro Football Focus.

AP Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner believes Jordy may be the most important player in the league returning from injury, noting:

"“It could be argued that no player’s recovery is more critical to his team’s title chances than Packers wideout Nelson from a torn right ACL.”"

Sports Illustrated recently ranked Jordy as the NFL’s 14th best outside receiver, adding:

"“He is a body-control extraordinaire, which is why Rodgers often looks his direction in tight spots. Nelson can win at every level of the field, but he is at his best finding space while Rodgers keeps plays alive.”"

NFL Network analyst Jay Feely believes Nelson is the NFL’s most underrated receiver.

"“You saw the ramifications on that offense in Green Bay and how much they struggled. He’s never been looked at as a No. 1 receiver, but if you look at his numbers the last couple of years, I just think that we saw just how important he was to that offense we they lost him last year. I think he’s a guy that I don’t think gets enough credit.”"

NFL.com’s Chris Wesseling thinks Nelson is the favorite to win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, remarking:

"“The wrong-headed notion that Nelson’s skyrocketing production was merely a byproduct of Aaron Rodgers’ excellence was put to rest last season when the Packers’ offense disintegrated without its go-to receiver… Rodgers has made a science out of the back-shoulder throw while Nelson rivals DeAndre Hopkins as the NFL’s most acrobatic boundary receiver.”"

NFL.com columnist Jeffri Chadiha noted:

"“Many people suspected that Green Bay’s offense was in trouble when its best receiver tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last August. Still, it was stunning to see just how much the Packers ultimately missed Nelson. Perennial Pro Bowl quarterback Aaron Rodgers literally had nobody else on the roster who could create separation and big plays as consistently as Nelson could.”"

Pro Football Focus ranked Nelson as the second most likely Comeback Player of the Year, writing:

"“In terms of PFF grades, Nelson ranked second among WRs in both 2013 and 2014. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2014 with Nelson on the field, had a good—but not elite—season in 2015, finishing with the 12th-highest grade among QBs.”"

While many detractors cite Nelson’s age – Jordy turned 31 at the end of May – as a reason he won’t return to form, the Packers have the weakest schedule in the league. The less strenuous agenda should help pad Jordy’s numbers and lead to a Super Bowl run.

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