Allen Lazard

One of the biggest wideouts in the league, Lazard went undrafted in 2018 despite accruing 3,360 yards at Iowa State and showing well at the combine (4.55 40, 122-inch broad jump, 38-inch vertical at 6-5, 227). Teams were wrong to overlook him, but if he was ever going to become a star it probably would've happened last year when he got the chance to be Aaron Rodgers' No. 1 receiver in Green Bay. The results weren't awful -- 60-788-6 on 100 targets in 15 targets -- but his huge jump in volume from previous seasons somewhat predictably coincided with a big drop in efficiency (7.9 YPT after three seasons at 8.6 or higher). Lazard is now with the Jets on a four-year, $44 million contract that includes half the money guaranteed at signing, and while he will benefit from playing with Rodgers again, he won't be the No. 1 receiver in an offense that already has 2022 first-round pick Garrett Wilson.

Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling played hot potato with Green Bay's No. 2 receiver role the last few years, and neither ever made it to even 700 yards in a single season. There's a chance both get there for the first time this year, with MVS off to Kansas City and target-hogging Davante Adams traded to the divisional-rival Raiders. Back in the NFC North, the Packers are left with Lazard, second-round rookie Christian Watson, 2021 third-rounder Amari Rodgers, a 29-year-old Sammy Watkins and 32-year-old Randall Cobb. Given that group, Lazard has a real shot at No. 1 status, though it wouldn't mean anything close to the 10-11 targets per game Adams saw in recent seasons. Still, six or seven looks per game from Aaron Rodgers likely would be enough to make the 2018 UDFA a solid fantasy starter for the first time in his age-26 season, following a 2021 campaign in which the final five weeks accounted for five of his eight TDs and more than half of his receiving yards (290).

Lazard came out of the gate hot last season, racking up 271 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns over the first three weeks. However, he was injured Week 3 and didn't take the field again until Week 11. Lazard was eased back in and had a quiet finish to the regular season, but he did get the job done in the playoffs, totaling 158 yards and a score over two games. He finished only fourth on the team in receiving yards in 2020, but chances are he'll start opposite Davante Adams this year. Lazard averaged more yards per game than fellow wideout Marquez Valdes-Scantling and played more snaps than MVS when at full speed. While Lazard isn't flashy, his blocking skills will keep him on the field frequently, and he's worth a look if he can lock down the No. 2 spot ahead of Valdes-Scantling, Randall Cobb and Amari Rodgers.

Lazard came on down the stretch last year and entered Aaron Rodgers' rarified circle of trust, something denied to most young Packers receivers the last few seasons. As such, he enters the year as the de facto No. 2 option out wide behind clear No. 1 target hog Davante Adams. At 6-foot-5 and 227 pounds, Lazard is massive, and his 4.55-second 40-yard dash time is satisfactory for his size. He managed a solid 13.6 YPC and 9.2 YPT on 52 looks in 2019, though he didn't see a single target until Week 6 and got more than five only three times. To the chagrin and puzzlement of many, the Packers didn't add any receivers via the draft, and their "big" free-agent addition, Devin Funchess, has opted out of the 2020 season. Lazard has a nice chance to emerge as the No. 2 wide receiver in Green Bay.