2023 NFL Free Agents: Allen Lazard (Fantasy Football)

Nothing kicks off the start of a brand-new football season better than NFL free agency, which is sure to involve plenty of player movement. Teams can place their franchise/transition tags on players as early as February 21, 2023, setting the stage for a wild offseason sooner than you think. The NFL never ceases to provide entertainment for all 365 days of the calendar year, and 2023 is shaping up to be no different. Free agency officially kicks off on March 15th. But deals will likely already be in place with the legal tampering period starting March 13th at noon.

So grab your popcorn, and get ready for the free agency frenzy with the 2023 free agency primer. I’ll break down the most notable impending free agents across the four major fantasy positions – with some potential trade/cut candidates to widen the scope – through the lens of fantasy football to prepare you for the ensuing March Madness. This primer should also help you make optimal trades in your dynasty leagues and unearth values in early best ball drafts before the chaos occurs. Below is a deeper dive on one of this year’s top wide receiver free agents: Allen Lazard.

2023 NFL Wide Receiver Free Agency Primer: Allen Lazard

Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles

Allen Lazard

Allen Lazard had a golden opportunity in 2022 to be “the” guy for Aaron Rodgers. Davante Adams was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, and second-round pick Christian Watson was sidelined by injuries to start his NFL career. But Lazard finished the season as the WR36 in points per game and the WR33 overall despite high-end usage. He finished 7th in the NFL in targets of 20-plus air yards (28) and 17th in red zone targets while commanding a team-high 20% target share. Lazard just failed to convert his elite usage into consistent production. And it was very apparent that he was no longer the alpha in the passing game when Watson was a healthy and active participant in the lineup. In Weeks 1-9, Lazard averaged nearly 13 fantasy points per game. From Weeks 10-17, the Packers WR notched just 6.5 fantasy points per game. His big-bodied frame at 6-foot-5 and 227 pounds will be enticing for NFL teams looking for size at the position, but Lazard still won’t be anything more than an ancillary piece of a passing game. Teams with strong run games might find him more favorable due to his prowess as a run blocker.

Beyond our fantasy football content, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you prepare for your draft this season. From our free mock Draft Simulator – which allows you to mock draft against realistic opponents – to our Draft Assistant – which optimizes your picks with expert advice – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football draft season.