The Green Bay Packers have had many great wide receivers in their long history. It started with Don Hutson in the early days of the passing game in the 1930s and 40s and later featured James Lofton in the 1980s, Sterling Sharpe in the 1990s and more recently Davante Adams. But the greatest single-season collection of receivers in franchise history came in 2011 when the Packers outstanding offense had the deepest and best group of receivers in franchise history. Combined with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, this group helped the Packers offense set franchise records and finished the season with an outstanding 15-1 record.
The 2011 Packers Receiving Corps: The Leading Receiver
The Packers leading receiver in 2011 was Jordy Nelson. The former Kansas State star led the team with 68 catches and 1,263 yards. He also caught 15 touchdown passes which led the team by a large margin.
The 2011 season was Nelson’s first full dominant campaign. His full potential was on display late in the Packers Super Bowl winning season the year before. Now, he became the team’s top receiver and developed unique chemistry with Rodgers.
Nelson topped 100 yards receiving five times that season and scored at least one touchdown in 10 of the team’s 16 games.
His deep speed was a weapon that helped create space for his teammates because defensive coordinators always had to account for Nelson on every play.
His best game came in the season finale when he caught nine passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns. Matt Flynn was the starting quarterback that game as the Packers beat Detroit 45-41.
The Pro Bowler
While Nelson led the Packers in most receiving categories, he did not earn Pro Bowl honors in 2011. The only Packers receiver who earned that distinction was Greg Jennings. This was the second and final time Jennings was selected to play in the Pro Bowl.
The former Western Michigan star missed the final three games of the season with a sprained MCL. Had he not been hurt; he would have likely led the team in catches that year and topped 1,000 yards for the season.
Jennings was a precise route runner and also enjoyed a good rapport with Rodgers. He finished the season with 67 catches for 949 yards and nine touchdowns.
Jennings’ best game came in Week 7 against the Vikings in Minnesota. He caught seven passes for 147 yards and a touchdown. He caught a touchdown in nine of the 13 games he played in that year.
Jennings would spend one more year in Green Bay before finishing his career with Minnesota and Miami.
The 2011 Packers Receiving Corps: The Deep Threat at Tight End
Jermichael Finley gave the Packers that rare commodity in the NFL: a tight end who can stretch the field with his deep speed.
The former Texas star enjoyed a bounce back season in 2011 after missing 11 games the previous season with a knee injury. In 2011, Finley became a consistent target for Rodgers. In Week 3, he caught seven passes for 85 yards and three touchdowns in the Packers 27-17 win over the Bears.
Finley finished the season with 55 catches for 767 yards and eight touchdowns. The following season, he caught a career-high 61 passes.
Unfortunately, Finley’s career ended in 2013 when he suffered a spinal injury. He was just 26 at the time. The Packers haven’t found a tight end with his downfield receiving skills since. Last year’s second-round pick, Luke Musgrave has the potential to be the first.
The Strong, Physical Target
The fact that James Jones was fourth on the team in receptions in 2011 without starting a game illustrates how deep the receiving corps was. The former third-round pick out of San Jose State had an “off” year in 2011, catching 38 passes for 635 yards and seven touchdowns.
Jones wasn’t a burner, but he provided the team with a strong, physical target who could pick up key first downs. In addition, Jones was a good target in the red zone because of his ability to make contested catches.
In 2012, Jones enjoyed his best season with Green Bay, catching 64 passes for 784 yards and leading the NFL with 14 touchdown receptions. He concluded his NFL career with the Packers in 2015 after spending 2014 with the Raiders.
The 2011 Packers Receiving Corps: The Wily Veteran
Donald Driver remains the Packers all-time leader in receptions with 743 but by 2011, his career was winding down. He was 36 that season and played most of his snaps out of slot. Driver still caught 37 passes for 445 yards and six touchdowns. He provided Rodgers with a reliable target who had the experience to get open despite lacking the speed he had earlier in his career.
Two of Driver’s touchdown catches game in the Packers dramatic 38-35 win over the Giants in Week 13.
He retired after the 2012 season and was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2017.
The Up-and-Coming Rookie
While Driver’s career was winding down, the Packers added a rookie in second round pick Randall Cobb out of Kentucky. Cobb started his career with a bang, scoring on a 108-yard kickoff return and a 32-yard touchdown pass in his very first NFL game.
Cobb finished his first pro season with 25 catches for 375 yards and one touchdown. He went on to play 10 seasons with the Packers in two stints with the team. He caught 532 passes with the Packers with 47 of them going for touchdowns.
Overall, this receiving corps had a good combination of speed, size, and hands, youth and experience. They gave Rodgers a great group of targets to throw to and this list doesn’t include running backs James Starks and Ryan Grant. The Packers have had many great receiving corps in their history, but this one was the best.
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