Never Too Early: Green Bay Packers Fantasy Football Preview

Hear that? It's the pitter-patter of fantasy football season approaching. Fantasy FanHouse is here to get you ready by previewing every team from a fantasy perspective.

Meet The ...

Team that won't miss a beat without a certain someone. Yeah, that's right. With Ryan Grant ready to keep this the same balanced offense that he made it in the second half of last season, a QB (Aaron Rodgers) that won't mind becoming a "game manager, and a very strong defense; the Pack is armed and ready to be just as solid as they were in 2007.

The Breakout

Aaron Rodgers has been waiting for his chance for three years, and the timing couldn't be better. Had it been last year that he took the reins, there would have been issues. Now the emergence of Grant makes the offense more balanced, though. The defense is good enough that Rodgers will never be forced to become a gunslinger, and the receiving corps is very solid with the growth of Greg Jennings and expected emergence of a couple young wideouts. He's got a good offensive line that knows how to pass protect, and a reliable tight end ... plus, he's in a place that loves their QBs. As long as he doesn't think of himself as the "replacement," he'll be a fantasy stud before the season ends.

The Bust

Donald Driver. His name carries too much value on draft day. He only had 1048 receiving yards and two touchdowns last season, and that was with his old QB ... who had trust issues in younger wideouts (meaning he gravitated towards Driver because he was more comfortable with him). Jennings is a much better receiver at this point, while James Jones and the rookie Jordy Nelson will push for time as well. Oh, and there's that increased workload going to the backfield with Grant's emergence. Too many mouths to feed for Driver to be a weekly fantasy starter anymore.

The Depth Chart

QB1 - Aaron Rodgers
QB2 - Brian Brohm
RB1 - Ryan Grant
RB2 - Brandon Jackson
RB3 - Vernand Morency
RB4 - DeShawn Wynn
RB5 - Noah Herron
WR1 - Greg Jennings
WR2 - Donald Driver
WR3 - James Jones
WR4 - Jordy Nelson
TE1 - Donald Lee
K - Mason Crosby

The Team D/ST

This unit was a low-end starting team defense last year (10th in my league, but points vary from league to league on D/ST units). The corners are aging, but still capable. The linebacking corps is young and stellar. The pass rush is a bit subpar (and no, they aren't getting Jason Taylor). Still, you have to love the potential this A.J. Hawk-led squad sports. Definite starting D/ST, and they should reside at the lower end of the top 10 again.

The Skinny

This is a veritable fantasy paradise. Grant's gotta go in the first round (probably the bottom end, but still in there -- he would have been my choice for "breakout," but I'm considering last season his breakout), while Rodgers will prove to be a solid starter in fantasyland. The top four WRs are worth owning, and all should be viable starts at some point in the season depending upon matchup and how things progress under the leadership of Rodgers -- and Jennings will be a must-start every week. The D/ST is top ten, as is the kicker. Even the relatively unknown TE, Lee, was ninth in points at his position last year. Not much to not like here, unless you are a Bears or Vikings fan.