Donald

Driver

He’ll be fine for week one. On another not, we wouldn’t be surprised if Driver was demoted to No. 3 receiver behind Robert Ferguson to start the year.

Driver is slated to start opposite of Robert Ferguson. He rolled his ankle in the final pre-season game last week.

It’s odd a Boston writer is breaking the story, but he’s also an ESPN radio host and from Wisconsin. We heard rumblings Wednesday night it was close and profootballtalk.com pegged most of these details days go. The deal will reportedly include Aaron Rodgers, Raiders TE Courtney Anderson, and a conditional Oakland pick in 2009 based on Rodgers’ production. Moss will reportedly restructure his deal to catch passes from Brett Favre. While this will help Moss’ numbers, don’t assume either Favre or he will be elite fantasy starters. Rodgers’ presence makes it more likely, though far from certain, that Oakland will draft Calvin Johnson with the first overall pick. In the end, this is a salary dump. Donald Driver and Greg Jennings owners can’t be happy.

We expect Driver to consistently be a good PPR start this season. If he can do it against the Bears, he can do it against anyone. Brett Favre’s struggles shouldn’t affect his numbers much week-to-week.

Although Nelson had just one catch on two targets, he played more snaps than Donald Driver (29) and far more than James Jones (18) or Randall Cobb (11). In other words, Nelson’s day was a little fluky. He remains the No. 3 option in Green Bay’s passing game behind Greg Jennings and Jermichael Finley, making Nelson a fine WR3 option against the Bears this week.

A night that has become sadly typical for Driver, who has just nine catches for 76 yards through the season’s first five weeks. The Packers’ sixth most talented receiver at this point, he’s not about to come into any fantasy value.

Driver saw just the one target as his role continues to shrink in the league’s most efficient passing attack. The 36-year-old is averaging just 15 yards per game. Heading into the bye week, he’s a waste of a roster spot in 12-team leagues.

Driver, currently a Dancing with the Stars contestant, is due a $1.5 million roster bonus on the first day of camp, and $2.6 million more in 2012 base salary. “I would never speculate on something like that,” Thompson said of Driver’s future. Driver is no better than 50:50 to play in Green Bay again.

Brian Hartline has been underwhelming as a starter, and Davone Bess is coming off a down season under Matt Moore. Driver is familiar with Joe Philbin’s offense, is a respected leader, and would offer a “security blanket” if the Dolphins sign Matt Flynn to quarterback.

Green Bay is already “anywhere from” $10-$13 million under the cap, but parting with Clifton and Driver before March 5 would free up enough money to franchise tag Matt Flynn. It’s a move beat writer Tom Silverstein expects the Packers to make. Regardless of what they do with Flynn, Clifton and Driver are candidates for release and may not be welcomed back at lower salaries.