Packers: Allen Lazard’s development shows he’s ready for WR1 role
Predicting Allen Lazard’s 2022 production as the Packers’ WR1.
With the departure of Davante Adams this offseason via trade to the Las Vegas Raiders, the Green Bay Packers are asking fifth-year receiver Allen Lazard to step into the number one role.
Looking at his past four years, we can get an idea of how productive Lazard will be in his new role as WR1.
Allen Lazard in 2019
In Lazard’s first full season with the Green Bay Packers, he was the number four receiver behind Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Geronimo Allison.
Only starting in three of the then 16 regular season games, Lazard was still able to put up significant numbers.
His breakout game was against the Detroit Lions in week six, when he caught four passes on five attempts for 65 yards, including a 35-yard sideline grab that put his team one possession from victory.
After this game, Lazard saw more targets and put up a very nice season, going 35-52 for 477 yards and three touchdown receptions as the team’s number four receiver.
Allen Lazard in 2020
After his breakout season with the Packers, Lazard saw more playing time in 2020 as the team’s number three receiver.
Prior to the Packers’ Week 3 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, star receiver Davante Adams had been placed on the inactive list. Lazard was going to see more targets.
Lazard delivered, finishing the night off with six catches on eight attempts for 146 yards and a touchdown.
He was poised to grow into the team’s true number two receiver. Sadly, Lazard tore a core muscle and missed the next six weeks of football.
Although the 2020 season had a major injury for Lazard that took him out of play for six weeks, we got to see what he could do when given the opportunity to play as a wide receiver one or two.
Allen Lazard in 2021
This past season was Lazard’s best statistically, which helped develop his connection with Aaron Rodgers.
Lazard’s 2021 season saw him catch 40 passes for 513 yards and a career-high eight touchdowns.
This growth over the past three years is one of the reasons the Packers were able to move on from Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling this offseason. They have seen the development of Lazard into a true number one wide receiver in the NFL.
Predictions for Allen Lazard in 2022
But what do these three seasons tell us about what Lazard can do as the Packers’ top receiver in 2022?
Lazard’s targets have gone up from 52 in 2019 to 60 in 2021. With this increase in targets, we have also seen an increase in catches and touchdowns.
It would not be surprising if Lazard has his best season yet as a starter because of his development over the last three seasons. Expect Lazard to put up bigger numbers this year as he enters this new role in his career as WR1 for the Green Bay Packers.