The Battle for number 2 Receiver

As we all know loved veteran Donald Driver has held the number 2 receiver title for the last few seasons behind number 1 wide receiver Greg Jennings. This offseason may well see a big change in that area though, with rising stars James Jones (if re-signed) and Jordy Nelson battling Driver for the 2nd starting receiver spot.

Donald Drivers numbers have been steadily declining over the last few years with him amassing just 53 catches for 565 yard and 4 Touchdowns in the 2010 regular season. These are in the same ballpark as totals that Jones (50 catches for 679 yard and 5 Touchdowns) and Nelson (45 catches for 582 yard and 2 Touchdowns)  posted in 2010 also. From these numbers it is clear to see that Jones was the more dynamic threat (even with all his drops!) throughout the regular season. He has also displayed has desire to start, when talking to Kareem Copeland of packersnews.com at last nights Superbowl DVD Premier, Jones said "My main thing going through all this,  I want to be a starter in the National Football League? No question."


The reason why Nelson is included in this battle for 2011 is his post season numbers. He recorded 21 catches for 286 yards and 2 Touchdowns, nearly half his regular season totals, in just 4 games.


The big thing here is whether Jones s re-signed, if so I believe he will become the number 2 receiver on the depth chart followed by the other two. There is no question that he has the talent, he just needs to be consistent when catching the football. If  he is not re-signed  I feel Driver still starts with Nelson listed as the number 3 as, for me, Nelson needs to show more production over a full season. With the return of playmaking TE Jermichael Finley all the receivers will be getting reduced targets anyway as he is definitely the number 1 passing threat on the team so it will be up to the young receivers on the team to wrestle the starting spot from Driver with even less looks than this past year. One thing I am certain of though is that whatever role Driver is given he will put his all in for the good of the team. Thats just the professional he is.