Attention Packers and Fantasy Fans: During Davante Adams’ absence, you now have a new No.1 Alpha in town, and his name is the Lazard King. Against the Lions on MNF, the previously-unknown Allen Lazard (38% owned) had a game-winning fourth quarter for the ages. Though many consider him just a one-hit wonder, Lazard could become a fantasy mainstay — at least for Week 7 — due to injuries and a juicy matchup vs. the Raiders. More important than anything else, though: Lazard has clearly earned a spot within Aaron Rodgers’ invaluable “Trust Tree.”
Despite not entering the game until the final two drives, Lazard was a marvel against Detroit. He racked up 4 catches, 65 yards, and a TD in the game’s waning minutes, and quickly became Rodgers’ go-to guy.
Sure, Lazard’s 6’5″, 227 lbs frame, and 4.55 forty are scintillating.
But even more important?
That rapport with Rodgers. Entering this “Trust Tree” is no easy task, and the importance cannot be overstated.
With his team down entering the fourth quarter and fresh off a costly drop by rookie Darius Shepherd, Rodgers lobbied for WRs coach Alvis Whitted to give Lazard a shot.
“I may have put in a good word there in the fourth quarter to get him some opportunities,” Rodgers said. “I asked “if [No. 13] could come in for a little bit.”
Lazard couldn’t have responded better. Though their first attempt was a missed deep ball, the rest was gorgeous. Rodgers went right back to Lazard, and the pair connected on an insanely beautiful 35 yard TD that required touch, timing, and trust:
Just as important, on the ensuing game-winning drive, Rodgers turned to Lazard on three of his five throws (60%), including two first down completions. Tellingly, when LaFleur sent in two plays, Rodgers dialed up the plays where the Lazard King was the intended target:
“I said go with the first one, because I’m going to throw it to Allen and we’re going to move the sticks,” Rodgers said. “And we did.”
Clearly, Rodgers entered the game with serious faith in Lazard, and left it with his trust both validated and elevated. But what exactly drew Rodgers to Lazard in the first place?
The young WRs confidence:
“The thing that got me was, which you love as a quarterback, and that’s receivers coming back and telling you he wants the ball and what routes he wants to run. The big first down we had to him on the out route, that was him coming back to the huddle and telling me what play he wanted. For a young guy to do that, how can you not have confidence in that.”
If you had any questions on Lazard’s self-esteem, here was his postgame evaluation:
“I’m made for this shit.”
Whether he’s a one hit wonder or truly “made for this shit” remains to be seen. He’ll certainly have a great chance to prove himself in Week 7. Both Marquez Valdez-Scantling (ankle, knee) and Geronimo Allison (chest, concussion) have yet to practice, and neither seem likely to suit up.
Not only will volume be aplenty, but the Raiders are surrendering a delicious fifth most FPs to WRs. None of their corners grade higher than 65 by PFF. Moreover, Lazard spent 9 of his 17 snaps in the slot, where he’d faceoff with Lamarcus Joyner, PFF’s third-lowest grader corner (36.5). As such, he falls within my Top-35 WRs, and is an ideal stream for anyone needing a buy-week fill-in or upside flex stab. His $3000 DraftKings price is borderline robbery.
In Week 7 at least, all who hail the Lazard King will be handsomely rewarded.
