Packers release longtime Aaron Rodgers top target Jordy Nelson, offering intriguing option for Raiders

The wide receiver free agent market was picked clean pretty quickly this year. Jarvis Landry never even made it to free agency, Allen Robinson and Sammy Watkins got way overpaid, and even the middling talent has been scooped up. But in the midst of all of the moves being made to add players, there will be casualties.

Among them is Packers veteran wide receiver Jordy Nelson. Due $12.5 million this season with $2.3 million in dead money, he was released as had been expected.

Nelson will turn 33 in May, so he isn’t going to get any long term deals. But in a year without a lot of great free agent options, not a strong draft at the position, and for a team that is in need of adding talent at receiver, Nelson presents one of the better options out there.

You simply can’t judge Nelson by what he did last season. The Packers were without Aaron Rodgers for most of the season and the entire offense struggled with Brett Hundley at quarterback.

Over his previous four full seasons, Nelson never dipped below 1250 yards and averaged 1338 yards and double digit touchdowns per season. He was a Pro Bowler in 2015 catching 98 passes for 1598 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also missed just one game since 2012.

Derek Carr could use that kind of production and reliability in Oakland. And Reggie McKenzie could get one of his old Green Bay prospects too.

So, what do you think?