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Packers at Jaguars: 5 best fantasy options

By Russell S. Baxter

Aug 28, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) hands the ball off to running back Chris Ivory (33) in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) hands the ball off to running back Chris Ivory (33) in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 12, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) rushes with the football during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) rushes with the football during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

2. RB Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers

The third time was far from charming for one of the better running backs in the league.

After rushing for 1,100-plus yards in each of his first two NFL seasons, Packers running back Eddie Lacy turned somewhat unreliable last season. While he led the club with 758 yards on the ground, he didn’t look like the same player who developed into a solid overall weapon for Mike McCarthy’s team.

In his first two years combined, the 2013 second-round pick and Pro Bowler in his debut campaign amassed 3,001 total yards from scrimmage, to go with 24 touchdowns. In 2014, Lacy surprised some by rolling up 42 catches for 427 yards and four scores. Last season, he saw those numbers greatly reduced in the form of 20 receptions for 188 yards and two touchdowns.

But it’s a recommitted Lacy that will take aim at a Jacksonville defense that was a so-so 15th in the league against the run last season. The team did add defensive end Malik Jackson in the offseason, as well as talented linebacker Myles Jack in the second round of the draft. But the Green Bay offensive line and Lacy will test Gus Bradley’s early and often.

While veteran James Starks was re-signed this year by the Packers and comes off a career year with the team, he’ll take a back seat often enough early in the season to ensure that Lacy will once again be the focal point of the ground game.

A more effective Lacy will once again make the Packers extremely dangerous on offense. In 2014, McCarthy’s team led the NFL with 486 points. That figure dipped to 368 points this past year but a better ground attack changes all that significantly.

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