Jordy well on pace for Packers all-time receiving mark

Jordy Nelson, entering the final year of a four-year, $39 million-dollar contract signed in 2014, appears primed to become the Packers’ all-time leading receiver.
 
This requires, of course, that Nelson’s services are retained beyond 2017, but if last season is any indication then we should expect Nelson to be around for some time to come. Nelson rightfully earned NFL Comeback Player of the Year awards for his efforts last season. 
 
Nelson may have lost a step – he averaged 13 yards per reception last season, his lowest mark since 2010 when he had yet to break out – but his penchant for red zone wizardry was still in full effect. Nelson moved into third place in all-time receiving touchdowns for the Pack, and sits just two behind Sterling Sharpe at 65. (To catch Don Hutson’s 99 touchdowns would require he maintain his torrid touchdown pace for another three to four seasons.)
 
While his days as a bonafide deep threat might be over, he’s far from slow and he’s always made his money on crisp route running and a savant-like connection with Aaron Rodgers to find a soft spot in the defense when the play breaks down. He’s also one of the best ever at wrangling in a grab with the tips of his toes dragging along the boundary line.  
 
At his current pace, Nelson need only average 924 yards over his next three seasons to eclipse the mark set by Driver of 10,137 yards. This seems highly doable, though it would require Nelson to remain productive at age 34 (he’s 31 now and turns 32 in May).
 
Fan-favorite Donald Driver needed 14 seasons in Green Bay to reach the team’s all-time team mark. Driver added 61 receiving touchdowns along the way, and similar to Nelson posted one of his finest seasons at the mature-by-NFL standards age of 31 when going for 1,295 yards and eight scores back in 2006. Driver’s prime was defined by his close connection with Brett Favre, and the tough-as-nails receiver remained highly productive during his first two years with Aaron Rodgers.
 
Nelson appears primed to remain similarly productive into his mid-30s. His recovery from a season-ending ACL injury to start the 2015 season is impressive. The seeming decline in explosiveness is just as attributable to age as the injury itself. He’s still a go-to threat for Rodgers, and even Davante Adams’ potential emergence as the team’s top receiving threat isn’t likely to cut into Nelson’s production too much.
 
The speculation is that we’ll see Nelson transition to more time spent in the slot, similar to what we’ve seen from future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona. When deep speed declines, so goes the thinking, boundary receivers can find new life closer to the line of scrimmage. Nelson’s frame, hands, route-running and spatial awareness make him a prime candidate in the slot.
 
Quarterback-receiver combos like Rodgers & Nelson don’t come around often. Hope for Nelson’s return certainly gets a lift from the most powerful lobbyist inside Lambeau Field, Mr. Rodgers. If this combo can stay together for just three more years, and barring injuries, pencil in Nelson for most receiving yards ever by a Packer. 
 
NFL Categories: 
0 points
 

Comments (7)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Bearmeat's picture

February 27, 2017 at 01:49 pm

Hard not to root for Jordy here - even though Donald is an all time great.

Got to think that Nelson will move more and more to the slot, leaving less and less room for Cobb. Does this mean that GB brass gives Cobb one more year to regain his form before they move on??

You'd assume 1 boundary WR is locked up in Adams, but I wonder what's going to happen to the Z position in GB? Davis? Allison?

0 points
0
0
EdsLaces's picture

February 27, 2017 at 06:40 pm

Yeah as I read the article I started to question Cobbs value for sure...

0 points
0
0
Handsback's picture

February 27, 2017 at 03:24 pm

OK, if Jordy goes to the slot who will take over as the boundary receivers?

0 points
0
0
dnicholson's picture

February 27, 2017 at 04:40 pm

One possibility is that Cook lines up outside occasionally. Had lots of looks out wide in the past, including Rodgers' MVP season in 2011.

If Allison takes a step forward he's a good fit split wide as well.

I think the key for them is to have pieces to move around. Jordy hasn't stopped lining up outside, but in two or three years he could settle into a more consistent role in the slot.

0 points
0
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 28, 2017 at 12:15 am

Cook has lost a step. He isn't a boundary receiver anymore. He's still a good move TE. He can be split wide on occasion, but that's all.

0 points
0
0
slit's picture

February 27, 2017 at 11:28 pm

Draft Zay Jones in Rd 2. Nelson/Adams/Zones/Cobb would be a nice group for next year. My guess is either Davante or Cobb is gone after next year; can't afford to pay 3 different WRs in the 10mil/yr range, and barring another injury, Jordy isn't going anywhere.

0 points
0
0
porupack's picture

February 28, 2017 at 03:09 am

Thanks for reminding us of Jordy's productivity in terms of his WR peers in packer history. That is pretty impressive. Even more amazing is that we have to be reminded how great Jordy has been....b/c he himself isn't out there calling attention to how great he is. How refreshing these days to have someone be understatement- great. J4P

0 points
0
0