Final Stretch of 2021 Gives Glimpse into Allen Lazard’s Potential for Packers

There is no replacing Davante Adams in this Green Bay Packers offense–and we all know this.

Instead, it is going to take a group effort, which will also include the running backs and tight ends, to try to mitigate Adams’ absence.

This, of course, leads to the question, who is going to be the go-to option at receiver for this Packers offense?

Again, with this being more of a group effort, the answer to that question could vary week to week depending on the opponent and what they are doing defensively. But I would guess that by season end, that player, for the most part, will be Allen Lazard.

Randall Cobb can still provide value, particularly on third downs as he did in 2021, but he is no longer in his prime. Sammy Watkins is new to the offense and has battled injuries throughout his career. Amari Rodgers is a bit of an unknown, while rookies Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs still have to learn the offense, adjust to the NFL, and build rapport with Aaron Rodgers.

Is Lazard ready for that WR1 role? Well, only time will tell, but late last season, we did get a glimpse into the potential he possesses.

From Weeks 14 through 18 of the regular season, Lazard was targeted 28 times, catching 21 of those passes — or 75% — at 13.8 yards per catch with five touchdowns, including three games with over 70 yards. He also had three carries for 32 yards during that span as well.

During those weeks, Lazard would rank 25th in receptions among all receivers, according to PFF ($$), 19th in total yards, 22nd in yards per route run, and second in touchdowns.

No, those rankings aren’t the best of the best, but no one is claiming that’s who Lazard is. What they do show is a highly effective receiver for about one-third of the season.

"“He’s been our dirty work guy for most of his career here,” said Rodgers during minicamp. “Now he’s getting an opportunity to be a No. 1 receiver. I’m not worried about him at all stepping into that role.”"

In addition to that stretch of games in 2021, since taking on a receiving role in 2019 with the Packers, Lazard has been very effective on third downs and in the red zone.

Lazard has been targeted 53 times on third or fourth downs and hauled in 70% of them at 15.9 yards per catch. 35 of those 37 receptions have moved the chains, and eight have resulted in six points. Inside the 20, he has caught 14 of 23 passes, eight of which ended in a touchdown.

With that said, the challenge for Lazard will be playing at a high level for an entire season, along with remaining efficient while having more opportunities and consistently making plays with more attention on him–he no longer has Adams to draw the defense’s attention away.

At the end of the day, we will have to wait and see how this all plays out, and it’s not as if past results are indicative of future success–especially with the additional challenges that Lazard will have to overcome this season.

However, Lazard has shown that he can handle a larger workload while also coming through in high-leverage situations. As I already mentioned, it is going to take a group effort this season to move the ball through the air, but the Packers need Lazard to be that player we saw during the final five weeks of the regular season.