He was one of the NFL’s least efficient wide receivers in 2023, even getting benched late in the season. Now, he’s seemingly been one of the New York Jets’ top “bounceback” players in 2024.
Or has he?
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Reunited with old friend Aaron Rodgers, wide receiver Allen Lazard has seen a resurgence in his production throughout the season’s first five weeks. Here are some of his numbers and their ranks among wide receivers:
- 20 receptions (35th)
- 240 receiving yards (39th)
- 4 touchdowns (3rd)
- 12 yards per reception (45th out of 85 qualified receivers)
Compare this to his final 2023 stats: 23 receptions, 311 yards, and one touchdown in 14 games.
Based on that jump, it would seem like Lazard has improved. But that isn’t really the case. Lazard is actually performing even worse in the main area that made him so frustrating in 2023: drops.
Lazard leads the NFL with six drops, per Pro Football Focus. His 23.1% drop rate is the worst among all receivers with at least 30 targets. Not only that, but it is significantly worse than his 17.9% drop rate last season, which already led the league.
Rodgers’ return has boosted Lazard’s opportunities and production, but Lazard continues to be an enormous liability in the most important facet of the wide receiver position. The Jets paid the price in their Week 5 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, as Lazard was credited with three drops, each coming in a huge spot.
After looking at the film, though, Lazard arguably had four drops in a disastrous performance.
Lazard’s four drops in Week 5
Lazard didn’t run a precise route on this play, but he managed to turn his shoulder and prepare for the catch without much resistance from the cornerback. Rodgers puts it right on his hands, and Lazard drops it. This turned out to be a major turning point, as the next play was Rodgers’ pick-six. If Lazard had caught a routine pass, it would never have happened.
With less than a minute remaining in the first half, the Jets are aiming to score their first points before time runs out. At Minnesota’s 14-yard line, Rodgers hits Lazard in the chest on a slant route, and Lazard allows it to pop into the air for a possible interception. Lazard made up for this two plays later with a touchdown reception, but he is lucky that he did not create a turnover here.
This is becoming too familiar of a sight for Jets fans. The Jets are trailing 23-17 with 3:47 left in the fourth quarter. Rodgers targets Lazard on a go route and drops it in the bucket despite Lazard gaining little separation, but Lazard fails to haul it in once again.
While PFF only charted Lazard with three drops, he arguably had four if you include this play. Lazard is tightly covered, but Rodgers places a perfect pass away from the defender that drops into Lazard’s hands. While the catch isn’t easy, it’s one he is expected to make. The drop forced the Jets to settle for a field goal, bringing the score to 17-10 when it could have been 17-14.
Lazard continues to hurt the Jets offense in key spots. While he has a good rapport with Rodgers, the Jets must find ways to make him less of a fixture in the passing game. He is too drop-prone to be one of the Jets’ primary targets. It is one more reason to prioritize trading for another certain former teammate of Rodgers.
