The good news: Theres really nothing but good news at these two positions, with everyone signed through this coming season. (Driver is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2010 season, while 2010 will also be Jones fourth NFL season, meaning hell be headed for some sort of free agency, depending on what happens with the next collective bargaining agreement.) The Packers took care of their biggest 2009 free-agent priority in June when they locked Jennings up with a three-year extension worth roughly $27 million, keeping him in the fold through the 2012 season. After a slow start, Jennings rebounded to lead the team in receiving (76 receptions for 1,243 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games, including the playoff loss at Arizona) while the ageless Driver continued his productive run into his mid-30s with another strong year (74 catches, 1,104 yards, six TDs). Finley, meanwhile, emerged exactly the way the coaches had hoped he would as they suffered through his redshirt rookie campaign, adding a dimension to the offense (61 catches, 835 yards, four TDs in only 14 games) not seen in these parts since Keith Jackson joined the club in the mid-1990s.
The bad news: Jones bounced back from a poor 2008 with a respectable 2009 but remains inconsistent, while Nelson showed flashes but failed to improve significantly over his rookie season. Swain beat out beloved veteran Ruvell Martin for the No. 5 receiver job in training camp and was looking good until he tore his ACL in Week 7, which puts his future in doubt. As good as the top four might be at the position, there is room for improvement. At tight end, meanwhile, Lee reverted to his inconsistent ways of 2006, dropping seven passes entirely too many given how infrequently he was targeted. With Finleys emergence, his role figures to continue to diminish.
The big question: Can Driver keep this up?
The supremely conditioned veteran turned 35 on Feb. 2, and has said before that he intends to play until hes 40. Given his productivity, work ethic and insistence that he has to play with something to prove even though hes long sold most observers on his excellence itd be foolish to bet against him. Hes due a $1 million roster bonus in mid-March, and itd be downright stupid for the Packers not to pay it and let him go. While they may have to make a tougher decision a year from now on what hes worth as a free agent, its a no-brainer to keep the guy now. He became the franchises all-time leader in receptions last season, and he needs just 507 yards to surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer James Lofton for the team record for career receiving yards. Not only that, as one of the few players on the roster with double-digit years of experience, hes invaluable in the locker room, setting the bar high for the entire receiver group.
Offseason outlook: The Packers dont figure to be in the market at either position in free agency, although there are some interesting names on the list of restricted free agents at receiver (San Diegos Vincent Jackson, Dallas Miles Austin, Denvers Brandon Marshall and New Orleans Lance Moore) and tight end (Houstons Owen Daniels, the former University of Wisconsin player, and Denvers
Tony Scheffler). More likely, the Packers will consider a receiver in the draft, especially if they can find one that might breathe some life into their sagging return game. With Nelson having been benched from kickoff returns in favor of Tramon Williams during the playoff loss to Arizona, and regular punt returner Will Blackmon coming off an ACL tear, a receiver with return skills would be welcomed.