Jordy Nelson broke the Green Bay Packers' single-season record for receiving yards in 2014, earning a long-overdue trip to the Pro Bowl.
Although he hasn't been as decorated as other big-name wideouts, Nelson has had a strong claim as the NFL's premier route runner and boundary receiver over the past two years. His chemistry with Aaron Rodgers is as obvious as any quarterback-receiver connection in the game.
Now that the Packers have confirmed NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport's report that Nelson is out for the entirety of the 2015 season, the question is who will replace that production in an offense driven by Rodgers' ability to bring out the best in his receivers?
Let's examine the candidates:
1. Davante Adams, 2014 second-round pick: The unofficial MVP of the Packers' offseason, Adams came in at No. 12 in Around The NFL's "Making the Leap" countdown this summer. Had we known about Nelson's injury, Adams would have been a lead-pipe lock for the top three.
Rodgers has gushed about Adams' "humongous upside" and "incredible" athleticism, adding in January that the former Fresno State star possesses the "swagger of a No. 1 receiver." Randall Cobb lines up in the slot nearly 90 percent of the time, which leaves Adams as the obvious choice to step into Nelson's role on the outside.
2. Ty Montgomery, 2015 third-round pick: Billed as a "bigger Cobb" by Packers scout Sam Seale, Montgomery is a bit of a running back/wide receiver hybrid at 6-foot-0 and 216 pounds with strong run-after-catch ability. He quickly emerged as a coaching staff favorite, with Mike McCarthy citing the "ton of explosion" in a "strong, very powerful, obviously gifted" player.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel views Montgomery as the favorite to emerge as the No. 3 receiver behind Cobb and Adams. "I feel like I can do anything in this offense," Montgomery said after Nelson's injury on Sunday. "I don't want to sound like 'Next man up, get him out of there.' That's what I'm trying to get at. If that's the case, yeah, I'm ready. I can do whatever they need me to do. I'll do my part."
3. Jeff Janis, 2014 seventh-round pick: A "SPARQ" darling as one of the most athletically gifted receivers in a loaded 2014 draft class, Janis is not only the biggest but also the fastest of the greenhorn Green Bay wideouts. Although Janis replaced Nelson in Sunday's game, he has drawn mixed reviews for inconsistent camp work. Wide receivers coach Alex Van Pelt conceded last month that Janis remains a developmental project. If Montgomery stumbles, Janis will be next in line for an audition.
4. Jared Abbrederis, Myles White, Larry Pinkard, Ed Williams: A fifth-round pick last year, Abbrederis missed his rookie season with a torn ACL and has been sidelined with a concussion since early in training camp. The Packers view him as a future option in the slot. White never made it off the practice squad last season after catching nine passes across seven games in 2013. Pinkard and Williams are battling for roster spots.
5. James Jones, Giants and Jarrett Boykin, Panthers: Neither Jones nor Boykin is assured of a roster spot with their respective teams. If either is jettisoned at final cuts early next month, a return to Green Bay makes sense. Jones corralled a career-high 14 touchdown passes from Rodgers in 2012. Boykin was heralded as a breakout candidate by McCarthy last summer, before Adams' emergence pushed him off the roster. Both veterans know the offense and have the trust of Rodgers.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast caps the weeklong Fantasy Extravaganza by talking undervalued and overvalued QBs and everyone's draft philosophies.
