Packers: 5 players who can replace Devin Funchess in 2020

Allen Lazard

It’s entirely possible that the Packers don’t bring in anyone via a trade or by signing a free agent. If that’s the case, they’ll need Allen Lazard to play a key role on offense this season. When the Packers desperately needed help at wide receiver last season, Lazard stepped up and earned more playing time. By the end of the year, he was Green Bay’s number two receiver behind Davante Adams.

But can Lazard take the next step?

Lazard made an impact last season, catching 35 passes for 477 yards and three touchdowns. Two of those touchdowns came in crucial moments in both games against the Detroit Lions. But Lazard also only had one game over 100 yards receiving.

Without Funchess, if the Packers don’t sign another receiver, they’ll need Lazard to become an even bigger part of Matt LaFleur’s offense. Some of that could come down to playing time. Lazard only started three games in 2019. With the depth chart as it currently stands, he’d almost certainly start far more games than that.

In the final two games of the season, Rodgers targeted Lazard more than he had earlier in the season. He caught nine of 17 targets for 114 yards and a touchdown in those games. Lazard could see a similar share of the targets if the Packers don’t add another receiver before Week 1.