Jordy Nelson – Current ADP 44th overall – 15th ranked WR (11th in my rankings)
Randall Cobb – Current ADP 31st overall – 10th ranked WR (16th in my rankings)
A big debate in the fantasy world right now is where to rank Randall Cobb or Jordy Nelson. Well I have Nelson ranked 11th in my rankings and I have Cobb ranked 16th. I am not as high on Cobb as most and I just think Nelson will be a better option this coming year. I know the Packers plan on using Cobb in various formations which will result into some more handoffs this season. I just don’t think he will be as good as Nelson this season. I also think that Rodgers likes to throw to Nelson more as well. It shows in the number of targets each guy received in games they both played in last season.
| Game | Nelson | Cobb |
| 09-Sep | 7 | 9 |
| 13-Sep | 9 | 2 |
| 24-Sep | 3 | 2 |
| 30-Sep | 12 | 8 |
| 07-Oct | 5 | 4 |
| 14-Oct | 12 | 10 |
| 21-Oct | 9 | 8 |
| 18-Nov | 5 | 12 |
| 25-Nov | 4 | 7 |
| 05-Jan | 6 | 2 |
| 12-Jan | 7 | 6 |
*I didn’t include games in which Cobb or Nelson didn’t play together in*
As you can see in the chart above Rodgers targeted Nelson more than Cobb in 8 out the 11 games they played together. Nelson also had a better YPC 15.2 to 11.9 and only scored 1 less touchdown (7 to 8) in 4 fewer games. Nelson was also targeted 11 times in the Red Zone compared to Cobb’s 7. The fact that Nelson is a full 4 inches taller than him benefits him as well.
If I have the choice in the middle of Round 2 of taking Cobb (Where his current ADP is) or snagging a RB and waiting till the middle of round 3 for Nelson. I am waiting and getting Nelson every time.
I project their 2013 stat lines to look like this.
Randall Cobb – 95 receptions – 1140 yards – 7 TDs – Fantasy Points – (156 standard) (251 PPR)
Jordy Nelson – 80 receptions – 1200 yards – 12 TDs – Fantasy Points – (192 standard) (272 PPR)
The Sports Script 