3 Green Bay Packers Who Can Give Your Fantasy Football Team A Boost

The Green Bay Packers’ wide receiver group has been besieged by injury.

No. 1 wideout Davante Adams missed last week with a hamstring injury and is questionable for Monday night’s game against Atlanta. Adams is a risky option for fantasy owners, though, because Green Bay doesn’t play until Monday. The Packers also have a bye in Week 5, meaning Green Bay might give Adams extra time to heal.

Allen Lazard, Green Bay’s No. 2 wideout, had a career night at New Orleans in Week 3 with six catches for 146 yards and a touchdown. Lazard went on the injured reserve list Saturday though, with a core-muscle injury.

All is not lost, though, when it comes to Green Bay’s pass catchers.

The Packers rank sixth in the NFL in passing yards per game (288.0), while the Falcons have the NFL’s 31^st-ranked passing defense, allowing a 350.3 yards per game.

So chances are, whoever Aaron Rodgers is throwing the ball to could help your fantasy team this week. Here are three Packers you should consider adding before your lineup is due:

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR

Odds are “MVS” is already owned in your league. If he’s not, grab him immediately.

If Adams can’t go, “MVS” becomes Green Bay’s top option in the passing game and could see double digit targets. Valdes-Scantling had seven catches for 160 yards and a touchdown in the first two games, before tailing off in Week 3 (one catch, five yards).

Even if Atlanta steers coverage towards “MVS” like New Orleans did last week, the big, speedy receiver should have a big day.

Seattle had two wide receivers exceed 90 yards against Atlanta in Week 1. Dallas had two wideouts reach 100 yards in Week 2. And in Week 3, Chicago ace Allen Robinson had 10 catches for 123 yards and a touchdown.

“MVS” could be poised for a huge night himself on Monday.

Darrius Shepherd, WR

Shepherd has just one career catch and doesn’t have any this year. But he could be a sneaky good play that helps lift your team to victory.

Shepherd (5-11, 186) will work out of the slot and could get favorable matchups against Atlanta’s overmatched secondary. While Shepherd and Aaron Rodgers haven’t developed great chemistry, the Packers’ quarterback will have to throw the ball to someone.

“These guys are with him on a daily basis in the meeting rooms, he can answer every question, he can go out on the field and perform all the tasks,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said of Shepherd. “So I think the confidence has been building up for a year and a half. We’re extremely excited about Shep and now is an opportunity for him to make a bigger impact on the game.”

Robert Tonyan, TE

Tonyan has scored a touchdown in two straight games. He also set career-highs in Week 3 with five catches for 50 yards.

Tonyan has played 61.5% of the snaps this year after playing just 18% last year and 6% in 2018. He has good speed, solid hands and has become the Packers’ No. 1 pass catching tight end.

With Green Bay shorthanded this week, his role seems certain to increase.

“I think that he’s definitely attacked it with more confidence this offseason along with the training camp and into the season,” Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said of Tonyan. “And he’s a guy that I think Aaron looks to and knows that he can trust and I think that’s something that’s been real positive for him. I think he’s done a couple really, really nice things this season and we look for him to continue to improve and contribute.”