Week 1 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Jordy Nelson has a difficult matchup ahead since he'll likely draw Richard Sherman quite a bit against the Seattle Seahawks. But Nelson is a scoring threat no matter what cornerback covers him. Last season, he managed 6 catches for just 41 yards in against the Seahawks at Lambeau Field. He also, however, scored twice, making it a very nice game.
Touchdowns can be a lot to rely on, but Nelson did have 14 last season, including 9 at home. Despite the tough matchup, he should be in your lineup.
Fantasy Upside
After missing the 2015 season with a torn ACL, Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson returned to snare 97 passes for 1,257 yards and 14 touchdowns on a career-high 152 targets. He plays in a receiver-friendly offense with arguably the game's best quarterback. There's a lot to like.
Fantasy Downside
At 32, Nelson's slide could start at any time.
2017 Bottom Line
Nelson is "Steady Eddie" when it comes to the receiver position. You can pencil him in for 1,200-plus yards and double-digit touchdowns if he plays a full season. He's reached both figures in the same season three times since 2011. He's been pretty durable over the course of his career and is the clear No. 1 receiver in one of the league's top offenses. Some other receivers might finish with more overall catches - his career high is 98 - but Aaron Rodgers can throw the ball into any spot and Nelson is good enough to win a game single-handedly. Don't let him slip past the early part of the second round.
NFC Championship at Atlanta
Check Nelson's status on Friday after he practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and Thursday. He could have a limited role on Sunday, though his rib injury could make that difficult. Nelson is an obvious red zone target and that might be enough to be productive, but if he does play, don't expect his usual workload.
Wild Card Round vs. New York Giants
Nelson had six receptions for 66 yards last week as Detroit did a good job keeping him in check. The Giants did the first time around as well back in Week 5, limiting Nelson to a line of 4-38-1. They have been solid all season, allowing just 17 touchdown passes, just 11 of which have gone to receivers. Given Nelson's TD output this season, it could be tough to keep him out of the end zone in back-to-back games. That only happened one time this season. And he's a guy Aaron Rodgers will force feed the ball to. I wouldn't bet against Nelson having an impactful game.
Week 17 at Detroit
Nelson ripped up the Vikings defense - and, apparently, their game plan - with nine receptions for a season-high 154 yards with two scores last week. It marked his third multiple-TD game of the season and second in the past three weeks. He's nearly been cash money all season long and his first multi-TD game this season came in the first meeting with the Lions when he posted a line of 6-102-2. With other top wideouts sitting out this week, Nelson could be the play of the week.
Week 16 at Minnesota
Nelson was having a so-so game until catching a late 60-yard pass to set up the game-winning field goal. He finished with a line of 7-124-0, which was solid. The Vikings have given up just 11 WR touchdowns this season and have allowed more than one TD pass to a wideout in just one game this season. But Nelson had a line of 5-73-1 the first time around when he was still working his way back into shape. There's no sense in benching him now. He's a WR1 start.
Week 15 at Chicago
Nelson had six catches but for just 41 yards last week, though he did catch two TD passes to move back into the NFL lead with 12. The Bears have allowed 13 touchdown passes to opposing wide receivers this season. But the Bears also held Nelson to one catch for nine yards, his season-low in both stats, earlier this season. He'll look to fix that. Nelson should be a strong start this week, as usual, thanks to his TD production alone.
Week 14 vs. Seattle
The Jordy Nelson train just keeps a rolling. He had eight receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown, his 10th of the season. He'll likely draw Richard Sherman in coverage quite a bit, but Devante Adams' emergence might keep the Seahawks from focusing too much on Nelson. And Aaron Rodgers will target Nelson even when he's well covered, expecting his big-play wideout to come down with the ball. His value takes a slight hit due to the opposition, but Nelson is still a WR1 this week because of his scoring ability.
Week 13 vs. Houston
Nelson had eight catches - on 12 targets - for 91 yards, but failed to score for the first time in five games. He has still be a solid scoring threat every week and Houston, despite having a tough overall pass defense, has allowed six TD passes in the past two games. Just three of those have been to wideouts, but Nelson is as good a red zone target as there is in the league. He's a strong start, as usual.
Week 12 at Philadelphia
Nelson managed just three receptions for 28 yards last week, but he continues to be perhaps the most consistent scoring WR in the league as he scored his ninth touchdown. He has spread those over eight games, giving him some consistency. The Eagles have allowed nine WR scores this season, but they have all come in the past seven games. Nelson remains a very solid start because of his scoring potential in this tough matchup.
