Allen Lazard, WR, 2023 Free Agent
Allen Lazard, wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers will be looking for a new place to call home this coming offseason. After spending the last 5 years as a Packer, Lazard, the undrafted free agent out of Iowa State, hauled in 169 Receptions for 2236 yards, and 20 TDs, while amassing a career 65.3% catch percentage in his time in Green Bay will be hitting the market this upcoming free agent season. After an emerging Christian Watson, and Romeo Doubs took over in the Packers receiver’s room the Packers got a bright look at the future are looking to move on and save cap space. And Lazard, a trusted, and relied upon target of Aaron Rodgers will be an intriguing player for teams to sign him in 2023. With his reliability on key downs in the pass game, and his outstanding blocking ability, Lazard established himself as one of, if not the best blocking receivers in the game. These are the teams where I think ‘The Lizard’ will be going:
Chicago Bears
Nothing like Packers players hitting the free agent market, and going to a division rival right? Chicago, long-time rival of the Packers will be looking to add players to knock the Packers down another peg in the NFC North much like Minnesota and Detroit did last season. Chicago, who lacks help at the receiver position and has the most cap space going into the offseason, could use the veteran presence such as Lazard in their locker room who was led in receiving in 2022 by Tight End Kole Kmet with 544 yards and 7 Touchdowns. The Bears would also benefit from Lazard’s blocking ability, added with Justin Fields’ presence in the run game, Lazard locking down incoming DB’s on the outside, and incoming Linebackers from the inside will come to help in conserving Fields’ health in the long run of the season.
Houston Texans
Houston is going through a time of rebuilding, growing, and new breath of air in the franchise. The hiring of Demeco Ryans as Head Coach, and the yearly talks of Brandon Cooks wanting to leave the team, has left the Texans, who will more than likely be introducing a rookie quarterback to the NFL this
coming season, will be looking for a reliable receiver to get the ball to on key downs and situations, just like Lazard’s former QB in Green Bay used to do. And just like the Bears suggestion above, the emergence of Damien Pierce in the Texans run game will look to keep trending upwards and with an able blocking receiver such as Lazard, the Texans run game could be the answer to who could be carrying the Texans offense this upcoming season. Lazard would be a great addition to a newly restarting team.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons Quarterback room is still hazy at this time between the young Desmond Ridder, and the question on if they’ll draft a QB or bring in another veteran since the departure of Marcus Mariota, but the Falcons could benefit from a running mate to go with Drake London going forward in the Falcons’ pass game. With London, and Lazard on the outsides, Kyle Pitts attacking the middle, and Olamide Zaccheaus in tow, WHOEVER is Atlanta’s quarterback going into next season would have a good choice of weapons to throw to. And when handing the ball off to running backs Cordarrelle Patterson, and Tyler Allgeier, the Falcons can benefit from Lazard’s blocking ability in the run game.
Lazard will be wanting to sign with a team that will continue to use him for all his talents. Entering an offense that puts him as a top target to a team’s emerging quarterback or becoming a solid contributor to a contending team in need of another weapon is the goal for Lazard as he enters his next chapter in his NFL journey. Lazard can be a team’s top target, or a solid running mate to a team’s number one receiver. With his ability to get open vertically, and reliable hands he can contribute to any teams pass game while also adding to any teams run game with mentioned blocking ability. Lazard could become a sneakily good signing to any team willing to give him the role of being a key contributor.