Height/Weight: 6-2/337
| Birthdate: 7/11/1986
| Birthplace: New York, NY, USA
| Team: Green Bay
| College: Boston College
| NFL Experience: 5
| Owned/Started%: 0/0 | Average Draft Position: 359.00
News: Packers DL B.J. Raji did not have his most productive day on defense in a Week 11 win over the Buccaneers. However, he was used for one play on offense and scored the game's first touchdown, as he bulldozed his way into the end zone from the 1-yard line late in the first quarter. Raji did not make any tackles in the game, though he deflect one pass.
Analysis: Raji capped off a bizarre drive that included a botched punt attempt that resulted in two fumbles and a first down. He won't exactly be a staple outside of IDP leagues, but he can be started in deep formats where defensive players are used.
News: Green Bay DL B.J. Raji had a nice game in Week 2 at Carolina. Raji recorded five tackles and a sack of QB Cam Newton in the game.
Analysis: Raji has six tackles and a sack after two games. He doesn't rack up enough tackles to be a big-time Fantasy IDP option heading into Week 3 at Chicago.
News: Green Bay DE B.J. Raji recorded a sack for the second consecutive game in the Packers' 45-17 victory over the Giants in Week 16 on Sunday. "If you have that reputation, you have to do something about it," Raji said about the Packers' reputation of being a finesse team. "But it really was a matter of how we executed the defense." Green Bay forced six turnovers in Sunday's game and held New York to its third-lowest point total of the season.
Analysis: Raji's sack was his fourth in the last four games and was surprisingly the only one the Packers landed on QB Eli Manning. Raji also finished with three tackles and a pass deflected. He should be considered a low-end Fantasy option for Week 17 against Chicago.
News: Packers DT B.J. Raji was able to sack Patriots QB Tom Brady twice in the Week 15 matchup. On the second one, he plowed through RB Danny Woodhead on his way to sacking Brady. Raji finished the night with four solo tackles.
Analysis: Raji is paying off for the Packers after they took him in the 2009 NFL draft. He now has 5 1/2 sacks on the season from the nose tackle position in the 3-4 scheme. Raji should be a hot Fantasy commodity heading into next season. For now. he should be considered a low-end Fantasy option.
News: Packers DT B.J. Raji recorded a tackle for loss in the Week 9 win over the Cowboys.
Analysis: Raji has shown some flashes in his second year in the NFL, but he won't warrant the necessary stats to be relevant in Fantasy play.
News: The Packers' top four linemen are on the injury report, potentially leaving the league's No. 1-rated defense short-handed going into Sunday's game at Chicago. Coach Mike McCarthy was optimistic after practice Friday that the Packers will have most of those injured players, if not all of them, available. Starting end Cullen Jenkins (hamstring) and rookie tackle B.J. Raji (ankle) are probable for the game. Johnny Jolly (knee), the other starting end, is questionable. But nose tackle Ryan Pickett (hamstring) didn't practice this week and is listed as doubtful, and he'd be missed the most.
Analysis: None of these defensive linemen put up enough stats to warrant Fantasy use. Look elsewhere for help in IDP leagues.
News: Packers DL Cullen Jenkins (two tackles, sack), DB Nick Collins (two tackles, interception) and DL B.J. Raji (one sack) all had nice Fantasy outings in a Week 11 win over San Francisco.
Analysis: Collins and Jenkins have some value in deeper IDP leagues and are probably worth a shot in deeper IDP leagues for Week 12 at Detroit. Raji is a raw talent, but isn't worth using just yet.
News: Despite being limited in practice this week with an ankle injury, Green Bay rookie DL B.J. Raji will see his second action of the season in Week 4 on Monday night at Minnesota.
Analysis: Fantasy owners should steer clear until the rookie is able to produce in IDP Fantasy formats. He is more of a space eater than someone who racks up tackles in the first place.
News: Green Bay rookie DL B.J. Raji (ankle) was limited in practice on Saturday in preparation for Monday night at Minnesota in Week 4. Raji made his NFL debut in Week 3 and should play on Monday.
Analysis: Fantasy owners should steer clear until the rookie is able to produce in IDP Fantasy formats. He is more of a space eater than someone who racks up tackles in the first place. He'll likely play Week 4 but isn't worth using in Fantasy play.
News: Green Bay rookie DL B.J. Raji is active and will make his NFL debut on Sunday of Week 3 at St. Louis.
Analysis: Fantasy owners should steer clear until the rookie is able to produce in IDP Fantasy formats. He is more of a space eater than someone who racks up tackles in the first place.
News: The Green Bay Press Gazette reports that Green Bay DL B.J. Raji reinjured his injured ankle in practice on Thursday and the team does not know if he will be able to play Week 3 at St. Louis.
Analysis: Even if Raji is able to play, Fantasy owners should steer clear until the rookie is able to produce in IDP Fantasy formats. He is more of a space eater than someone who racks up tackles in the first place.
News: The following players are inactive for the Packers against Cincinnati on Sunday: S Atari Bigby, RB Brandon Jackson, CB Brandon Underwood, FB Quinn Johnson, LB Brad Jones and NT B.J. Raji.
Analysis: Keep all of these players reserved for Week 2 against the Bengals. Hopefully they can return in Week 3 at St. Louis. However, these players all have minimal Fantasy value in most standard formats.
News: Green Bay DL B.J. Raji is considered questionable for Week 2's game against the Bengals with an ankle injury. Raji was able to participate in practice in full all week.
Analysis: Raji was listed as inactive for Week 1's game and could be out again despite participating in full in practice this week. He is more of a space eater than someone who racks up tackles. Leave him on waivers in anything other than the deepest of leagues.
News: The following Packers players are inactive for Week 1's game against the Bears: CB Will Blackmon, CB Brandon Underwood, FB Quinn Johnson, LB Brad Jones and NT B.J. Raji.
Analysis: None of the players listed above were expected to stat in Week 1 for the Packers anyway. Leave them all on waivers in all leagues.
News: Yesterday, Packers DE B.J. Raji was very confident his ankle would be healed enough to play on Sunday. On Friday, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said the rookie felt better than Thursday, but will still be a close call on Sunday.
Analysis: This is not good news for Raji's owners in IDP formats as he was looking like a potentially useful option in rookie formats. He is expected to be more of a space eater than a stats earner however, so keep him reserved until further notice.
News: On a night where not getting hurt was the top goal, Green Bay saw a handful of players injured, with the most worrisome being rookie DT B.J. Raji -- the No. 9 draft pick overall. Raji sprained his ankle after having three tackles and a sack. Coach Mike McCarthy said they would know more Friday but was hopeful the injury wasn't serious. "I don't have anything to believe that it's not serious," McCarthy said.
Analysis: This is not good news for Raji's owners in IDP formats as he was looking like a potentially useful option in rookie formats. He is expected to be more of a space eater than a stats earner however, so don't take him as anything more than a late-round flier in rookie-only leagues.
News: The Green Bay Packers have signed first-round draft pick B.J. Raji, ending his nearly two-week training camp holdout. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Raji signed a five-year, $28.5 million deal that included just under $18 million in guaranteed money. Raji, a former Boston College defensive tackle, was drafted ninth overall and is expected to start at defensive end for the Packers. His holdout was the longest involving a Packers draft pick since offensive lineman Ross Verba missed 22 days of training camp in 1997. Raji is not expected to play in the Packers' preseason opener Saturday against Cleveland at Lambeau Field.
Analysis: Raji should be a quality space-eater for the Packers, but since he'll be doing that, Fantasy owners shouldn't expect him to post big stats. His primary job will be attacking offensive linemen and clogging holes for opposing running backs to dart through. He's not worth drafting outside of a late-round pick in rookie-only leagues.
News: Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy said the team was close to signing first-round draft pick B.J. Raji on Thursday night, potentially ending a contract holdout that has lasted nearly two weeks. The Packers took the former Boston College defensive tackle with the No. 9 overall pick but he has been without a deal since the team reported to training camp July 31. "I know we're close," McCarthy said after practice Thursday night. "That's what I was told before I came to practice." The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on its Web site Thursday that the two sides had reached an agreement in principle on contract terms. It can't come soon enough for McCarthy. "I'd love to see him," McCarthy said. "I hope, I hope, I hope."
Analysis: At 6-1 and 337 pounds, Raji has a rare combination of size, power and quickness. He and fellow Packers first-rounder Clay Matthews III are expected to become cornerstones of the 3-4 defense being installed by new defensive coordinator Dom Capers. Raji considered a natural nose tackle, but could also play defensive end in Capers' defense. McCarthy said he wasn't sure how quickly the Packers would work him into the defensive rotation once he gets in camp. McCarthy isn't even sure what kind of shape Raji is in at this point. McCarthy acknowledged that it won't be easy for Raji to get in shape with a month remaining before the Sept. 13 season opener against Chicago at Lambeau Field. "We've obviously had a lot of padded practices," McCarthy said. "That's something we can't make up. So we've got to make sure we're putting him in position where he can achieve that frame that's needed to play in a competitive environment." Raji is pretty much just a flier in rookie-only leagues to begin the season. The Packers DST is a No. 2 option.
News: The Packers got lucky and picked up Boston College DT B.J. Raji with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2009 draft, immediately boosting the level of talent and ability of their altered 3-4 defensive line. The Packers overlooked questions about his work ethic and potential issues off the field and went with a guy they should be able to plug in as a nose tackle from Day 1. "He has the ability to take people backwards, where they don't want to go," Packers GM TedThompson said. "He also has the quickness to go around them. He's a very powerful player. It's unbelievably hard to find the combination of the skill set he brings. The good Lord just didn't make many people like this."
Analysis: Raji should be a quality space-eater for the Packers, but since he'll be doing that, Fantasy owners shouldn't expect him to post big stats. His primary job will be attacking offensive linemen and clogging holes for opposing running backs to dart through. He's not worth drafting outside of a late-round pick in rookie-only leagues.
