Jordy Nelson: The most interesting WR in fantasy football

Heading into 2016 fantasy football draft time, theScore looks at the most intriguing option from each offensive position. This edition focuses on Green Bay Packers WR Jordy Nelson.

2015 in review

Nelson missed the 2015 season with an ACL injury. Previously, health had never been a concern, as he had sat out only seven games in seven years.

Without him, the Packers fell to 25th overall in total passing yards after finishing eighth in 2014, sixth in 2013, ninth in 2012 and third in 2011. Nelson recorded over 1,200 yards receiving in three of those four years.

What makes him interesting

Despite the admittedly small sample of one season's absence, perhaps a healthy Nelson is the key to a prolific Green Bay offense. QB Aaron Rodgers' 60.7 percent completion rate was a career low, and his yards-per-pass-attempt fell to 6.68, well below his lifetime mark of 8.01.

Fellow WR Randall Cobb also had a poor campaign, and only saw three more targets than in 2014 despite playing in all 16 games both seasons. Compared to 2014, Cobb also recorded fewer catches (79 to 91), receiving yards (829 to 1,287) and TDs (six to 12). While being the clear number one option with Nelson sidelined may have seemed like it would help Cobb's fantasy prospects, the actual results indicated otherwise.

As for Nelson himself, he's proven to be an ideal combination of possession receiver and deep threat. He averaged an identical 15.5 yards per catch in both 2013 and 2014, jumping from 85 receptions in 2013 to 98 in 2014. He also hasn't scored fewer than seven TDs in any of the past four seasons, including a 2012 campaign in which he played 12 games.

If he's anywhere close to his usual standards, the Green Bay offense as a whole (and fantasy owners of Nelson, Rodgers and Cobb) should benefit.

Draft outlook

Nelson is being chosen in the latter half of the first 10 wide receivers, among players like Alshon Jeffery, Brandon Marshall and Allen Robinson. Nelson arguably has more upside than any of those three, save for maybe Robinson, and indisputably has the better quarterback and supporting cast.

He's likely being discounted somewhat due to his age (31) and recent injury, but shouldn't see too dramatic a drop off in his production from recent seasons if healthy.