Jordy Nelson rumors: Top 3 landing spots
By Josh Hill
Jordy Nelson is a free agent looking for work, but where is the best landing spot for him in his post-Packers career?
While the Green Bay Packers continue their pursuit of another Lombardi Trophy, the number of guys who were around the last time they won is dwindling. Jordy Nelson, who has been a stalwart in the Packers offense, will be wearing a different uniform in 2018.
It’s more shocking than we might be willing to admit, but Nelson wearing something other than green and yellow will be a little weird. Green Bay signed Jimmy Graham on Tuesday, creating a need to release someone and make room on the books. Nelson was cut for cap reasons, not performance reasons, which is something that might get lost in translation. Green Bay doesn’t have room for him but not because he isn’t talented — and the right team will see the difference and give him a new home.
Which team will that be?
Best fits
1. Baltimore Ravens
Most of the teams that need receiver help have found it — but not the Ravens. There’s a chance Mike Wallace comes back on a cheaper deal, but Ozzie Newsome would be a fool to not take a chance on Jordy Nelson. It’s not even taking a chance in the classic clichéd way of thinking, he’d be signing a Pro Bowler who is up there in age but still capable of being a huge asset. Joe Flacco isn’t the most prolific passer in the NFL, but Nelson would far and away be one of the best weapons he’s ever had at his disposal.
2. Carolina Panthers
Trading for Torrey Smith helps, but the Panthers still need to surround Cam Newton with as many options in the passing game as possible. Losing Jonathan Stewart stunts the run game a little, but if Nelson were added to the receiving corps that could change things in a big way. Smith and Nelson, alongside Christian McCaffrey, could be a three-headed monster that unlocks the best in Cam. That’s not even considering the fact that Greg Olsen is out there lurking around in secondaries looking for action. Add Nelson and all of a sudden the Panthers offense looks really scary.
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3. New England Patriots
It’s tropey as hell to say that Veteran Player X will sign with the New England Patriots — but it usually ends up happening. The Patriots are to recently released football veterans what the Yankees are to baseball superstars: Eventually, they stand on common ground. New England lost Danny Amendola to the Miami Dolphins, which means they have a need for someone to step into his role. Nelson isn’t young and he’s prone to injuries this late in his career, but he could be deadly in Josh McDaniels offense. Everyone’s talking about how Jimmy Graham is going have a career where both Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers threw to him, but Nelson moving from Rodgers to Tom Brady is a filthy example of a rich man getting richer.