The Green Bay Packers held off a late push by the New Orleans Saints in route to a 42-34 defeat Thursday night, but was there anything for fantasy owners to learn from this game that they didn’t already know?
You better believe it!
In a contest that featured two of the NFL’s most prolific offenses, it was a host of fantasy no-namers that really put on a show, and raised a few eyebrows.
Did Greg Jennings, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Marques Colston all have good days? Yes.
But it wasn’t just the fantasy elite that had fantasy owners jumping for joy, rather players like Randall Cobb (2 receptions for 35 yards and a TD, 135 return yards and a single touchdown), and Darrren Sproles (7 passes for 75 yards, a 36-yard reception, a 72-yard punt return, and a 57-yard kickoff return).
So what does it all mean?
Well for starters, the Packers showed that they actually have MORE than five well-known receivers that they can deploy, and they showed that they intend to use damn near everyone on that roster.
Randall Cobb showed some significant upside and added team value Thursday, and even played a role in the passing game as the Packers sixth WR on the depth chart. Cobb, is still sporting a 1.0% ownership in most leagues, and makes for an intriguing scoop off the wire for those in leagues that reward points for return yards.
Darren Sproles also showed the same type of potential waiver wire value but has a far bigger ownership percentage of 42%.
Other notable players to consider are the following:
Johnathan Casillas (1%) – LB – Saints: Expected to be primary pass rusher and was able to penetrate the Packers’ D-line all night.
Jarrett Bush (1%) – DB – Packers: Could be the handcuff starter for Green Bay is Tramon Williams’ injury is serious enough. Bush is a stellar alternative off the wire.
John Kuhn (0.6%) – FB – Packers: Kuhn showed himself to be a goaline option for the Packers last year, and the team has already said they want to use him more in those situations; something we saw Thursday night. An intriguing waiver wire consideration if you have space.
In-Game Injuries:
Tramon Williams – DB – Packers: left the game with an apparent shoulder injury. No update yet available.
Packers – Saints Box Score
