NFL free agency is right around the corner. While some players will work out extensions with their current teams, most of them will become unrestricted free agents and hit the open market. One of the more prominent free agents at the wide receiver position is Allen Lazard of the Green Bay Packers. What are some possible landing spots for Lazard?
Allen Lazard Free Agency Predictions
Every year, the free agent class has its strengths and weaknesses. The 2023 FA class is very weak at wide receiver but absolutely loaded at running back. That, combined with what is believed to be a good, but not great, rookie wide receiver class, will make watching this unfold very interesting.
There are several teams clearly in need of wide receivers. Some teams could serve to upgrade their WR2 spot. Others just need someone who can make plays.
For a UDFA, Lazard has already put together an incredible career. After barely playing at all as a rookie, Lazard became a rotational member of the Packers’ receiving corps in his sophomore season. He remained in that role until this past year when the departure of Davante Adams left Green Bay without a true WR1. Lazard filled that role, leading the team in targets, receptions, and receiving yards.
MORE: Wide Receiver Free Agency Rankings 2023
While Lazard’s production relative to his UDFA status has been fantastic, in the grand scheme of NFL wide receivers, he was woefully miscast as a WR1. Lazard is best suited to play the role he was in from 2019-2021 — a rotational WR3/4.
Fortunately for Lazard, this WR class is quite weak. Thus, teams looking to sign wide receivers are likely to view him more favorably than they would if the alternatives were better.
Someone is going to give him a new contract, so where might Lazard play in 2023 and beyond?
Lazard Is the Type of Receiver the Ravens Typically Sign
It really is incredible how much the Baltimore Ravens have ignored the WR position over the entirety of their existence. While they’ve signed their fair share of true alpha WR1s in the past, every single one of them has met the same criteria: past their prime, but not quite done. Derrick Mason, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Smith all fit this description.
I want give them a little bit of credit for investing more into trying to fix their WR room recently. Drafting guys like Marquise Brown and Rashod Bateman certainly helps. However, they’ve put so little behind them that it’s hard to say they’ve really made the effort necessary. The Ravens went into a playoff game with Demarcus Robinson and Sammy Watkins as their top two receivers. That just can’t happen.
Ravens Vault’s Sarah Ellison asked general manager Eric DeCosta about the team’s wide receiver situation. DeCosta provided a very candid response:
“If I had an answer, that would probably mean I would have some better receivers. … We’re gonna keep swinging. There have been some guys that have been successful players for us that were draft picks. We’ve never really hit on that All-Pro type of guy, which is disappointing, but it’s not for a lack of effort. … It’s one of those anomalies that I really can’t explain, other than to say that we’re not going to stop trying. We’re gonna keep swinging and hopefully at one of these points, we’re gonna hit the ball out of the park.”
Regardless of what Baltimore does in free agency, they should keep drafting wide receivers. But veteran depth never hurts. And by veteran depth, I mean those that actually are capable of playing professional football at a high level — as in not Watkins or DeSean Jackson.
What the Ravens really need is a big-bodied outside receiver. They should do everything in their power to trade for DeAndre Hopkins (another former elite WR who is past his prime but not quite done).
If they can’t get a guy like Hopkins, then Baltimore’s go-to move has been to sign these players that aren’t anything special but are still better than what they had. That’s a perfect description of how Lazard would fit on this team.
Lazard can be a 60-70% snap share guy, providing the Ravens with a solid, if unspectacular, WR3/4. I don’t see him getting a lengthy contract. A two-year deal feels right. Given the wide receiver landscape, Baltimore may end up overpaying a bit. Lazard is likely worth in the area of $5-7 million a year, but I suspect he may end up getting around $10 million.
The Packers Could Bring Lazard Back
By no means do I think there’s any pressing desire from the Packers to retain Lazard. I’m not saying they don’t want him back, but rather that they know letting him go wouldn’t be this massive loss.
With that said, Green Bay’s wide receiver situation leaves a lot to be desired. Christian Watson certainly showed a ton of promise as a rookie, but even if he is their WR1 of the future, they still need a No. 2, 3, and 4. At best, Romeo Doubs could fill one of those roles.
MORE: 2023 NFL Free Agency Predictions
Given the caliber of this wide receiver class, the Packers may not be able to do better than Lazard. If Aaron Rodgers returns, as I expect him to, he may very well want Lazard back. And Lazard likely would want to come back, leading to what could be a reunion for another couple of years.
The only hiccup is the Packers’ problematic cap situation. Green Bay’s front office would have its work cut out for them to create the necessary salary cap space to give Lazard $10 million a year over two or three seasons. They could certainly figure it out, but I don’t think Lazard is worth manipulating the cap to create space to sign. Nevertheless, a return to Green Bay is certainly on the table.
Lazard Would Have a Prominent Role With the Titans
I’m not sure which way the Tennessee Titans are leaning in terms of competing. To be candid, they don’t seem too sure, either.
Rumors of the Titans exploring the possibility of trading Derrick Henry suggest they know their window might be closed. If that’s the case, signing Lazard actually makes more sense than if they’re taking another shot at making a run with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback.
Right now, Tennessee essentially has Treylon Burks, who had a very disappointing rookie season, and no one else. Their WR2 is Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. The Titans will probably draft another receiver, but there’s a decent chance that it won’t be until the third round or Day 3.
Lazard would have a chance to be the Titans’ WR2, which could entice him to sign with Tennessee on perhaps a one or two-year deal, with the hopes of getting a larger contract next year or the year after.
For the Titans, they need capable bodies out there on the field. At worst, Lazard is an upgrade on everything they have other than Burks. With the ninth-most cap space available, Tennessee could afford a slight overpay on Lazard.
Allen Lazard’s Market Value, Career Stats, and More
Meyers currently sits at No. 88 in our top 100 free agents. Even in this weak WR class, he’s the seventh-ranked free agent wide receiver. Last season, Lazard earned a hair under $4 million after signing his restricted free agent tender. He’s going to make a lot more in his next contract.
Whether due to supply and demand or just a difference in evaluation, it’s clear the NFL views Lazard more favorably than I do. According to NBC Sports EDGE/Rotoworld’s Matthew Berry, among the people he spoke to at the Combine, one source reportedly said, “My nipples are hard…for Allen Lazard.”
Someone is going to pay Lazard. Given how much he’s had to overcome as a UDFA who did nothing as rookie, it would behoove him to just chase the money. He’s earned it with his play.
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The highest bidder should get Lazard’s services. He’s 27 years old and should still have 4-5 years left as a useful NFL player. I maintain he’s best suited for a WR3/4 role, but if Lazard lands on a WR-needy team, he could end up as someone’s WR2. I don’t expect him to get close to the 788 yards he put up last season, but 500-600 yards a season from Lazard is perfectly fine.
Allen Lazard’s Career Stats
- Receptions: 169
- Receiving Yards: 2,236
- Total Touchdowns: 20