The Green Bay Packers will be counting on Allen Lazard to play a key role in their offense this season. There is plenty of reason to believe he will be capable of handling that responsibility.
In 2019, Lazard was released towards the end of training cap but was later signed to the practice squad. It wasn’t until Week 6 when Davante Adams went down with an injury that Lazard recorded his first catch of the season.
Once given the opportunity, it didn’t take long for Lazard to gain the trust of Aaron Rodgers. The Week 6 matchup with the Detroit Lions featured Lazard catching four passes for 65 yards and one touchdown in the fourth quarter alone.
Despite starting out without a regular role in the Packers’ offense, Lazard ended last season with 35 catches resulting in 477 receiving yards and three touchdown grabs. Perhaps most impressive of all in regards to Lazard’s 2019 campaign was his ability to execute against single coverage.
When compared to the rest of the NFL’s qualified receivers, Lazard trailed only Mecole Hardman, Tyreek Hill, and Chris Godwin in his PFF grade when targeted vs. single coverage in 2019.
The Packers elected not to emphasize the wide receiver position in the 2020 NFL Draft and their premier addition at this spot in free agency was Devin Funchess. Green Bay clearly has legitimate confidence in Lazard’s long-term potential in their offense.
There will be competition for Allen Lazard between a pair of third year wide receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown. Regardless, that shows the Packers could have greater impact at this position than given credit for by experts.
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