Should I drop Allen Lazard? Week 9 fantasy projection for Jets WR
Allen Lazard represents one of the more prominent cases of nepotism in the New York Jets' Aaron Rodgers era. Initially playing with him with the Green Bay Packers, when the wide receiver was signed to a four-year, $44-million contract by Gang Green in the 2023 offseason, it was widely seen as pandering to new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who had held the same position in Green Bay.
Their first season together would prove short-lived, as Rodgers tore his Achilles on his fourth snap with the Jets. Lazard struggled to get numbers with Zach Wilson under center, posting career-lows (besides his single-game 2018).
However, in 2024, they got back together and started doing major damage again, at least until the final injury report hit before their game against the Houston Texans:
Should I drop Allen Lazard for Week 9 fantasy football?
A chest injury means no Allen Lazard on Saturday, which in turn means no using him on a fantasy team; in other words, he's a drop.
The development is a massive shame because he has finally been realizing his potential once more. In seven starts, he has had 30 catches for 412 yards and five touchdowns - more than he did in the entire 2023 season.
That has, in turn, meant a very strong turnout of fantasy points. According to FantasyPros, only once has Lazard failed to meet expectations - in Week 2 at the Tennessee Titans, and even then the Jets won that game, thanks to running backs Breece Hall and Braelon Allen, who caught a TD each.
Allen Lazard fantasy outlook for rest of 2024 season
While Todd Downing, who handles the Jets' offensive playcalling despite not being the offensive coordinator, has been open about focusing on the run game (a trait carried over from when he was with Derrick Henry and the Titans), he also recognizes that there should be an openness to pass in big-yardage situations.
With Mike Williams expected to be traded elsewhere come the deadline in the wake of Davante Adams's arrival, Allen Lazard may create an opportunity to be the WR2/3 in a corps that also includes former Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson. He sits outside Sportskeeda's WR rankings as he recuperates from his injury, but expect him to skyrocket back when he's fit again.
At 6-foot-5 and 227 lbs, he figures to be placed in one of the corners alongside Adams, with Wilson moving to the slot on account of his lighter frame (6-foot-0, 183). That will mean bigger stats, and with them more fantasy points - marking him as someone to watch as the season continues.