NFL Free Agency: It’s Like Last Year, But Worse, at Receiver

Packers receiver Allen Lazard is one of the headliners of a weak class of free agents.

Author:
Bill Huber
Publish date:
Mar 12, 2023 9:12 PM EDT

In this story:

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Remember last offseason, when the Green Bay Packers traded Davante Adams? The best general manager Brian Gutekunst could do in a terrible free-agent market was taking a flier on Sammy Watkins.

That flier crashed and burned.

The outlook isn’t any better this offseason. Actually, it’s worse. Nobody would consider Green Bay’s Allen Lazard to be anything more than a solid complementary player. But he’s No. 4 in our best-available list and primed to make more than $10 million per season.

And even that might be underselling him.

“At this stage, I’d take him over Odell (Beckham),” said one scout who helped put this list together.

Veteran Randall Cobb also is a free agent. His return to Green Bay might be tied to Aaron Rodgers’ decision.

Who’s left? Four 2022 rookies: Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Samori Toure and Bo Melton and practice-squad holdover Jeff Cotton. So, there’s a need.

Who’s Off the Market?

The Tennessee Titans released Robert Woods. The 10-year pro, who had his only 1,000-yard seasons in 2018 and 2019, signed with the Houston Texans. Sterling Shepard re-signed with the Giants.

Strong or Weak?

Weak. Very weak. There isn’t a single free-agent receiver who had a 1,000-yard season in 2022. Not one. In fact, while a few of the players had 1,000-yard seasons in their past, they’ve had none since 2020.

Our Top 12

Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots: Getting by with lackluster quarterback play, Meyers has 235 receptions for 2,758 yards and eight touchdowns in four seasons. After catching 83 passes in 2021, he scored a career-high six times in 2022. He doesn’t have any wheels (4.63 in the 40) and he’s not much of a YAC threat (150 receptions, two missed tackles the last two seasons) but has only 13 career drops and knows how to get open.

JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers: Smith-Schuster looked like a star during a breakout second season of 111 receptions for 1,426 yards and seven touchdowns in 2019. However, he averaged just 8.6 yards per catch in 2020 and 2021. Landing with the Chiefs last offseason, he had a nice bounce-back year with 78 receptions for 933 yards and three touchdowns. He’s a good YAC threat (6.0 average) and tough but with so-so hands (six drops). He’s only 25.

Odell Beckham Jr., free agent: With the Rams in 2021, Beckham suffered a torn ACL in the Super Bowl and missed the entire 2022 season. A first-round pick in 2014, he topped 1,000 yards in five of his first six seasons. From 2020 through 2022, he had 856 yards, though he was superb during the Rams’ run to the championship. What’s the market for a 30-year-old receiver coming off a serious knee injury? The Packers did not attend a Friday workout.

Allen Lazard, Green Bay Packers: Check out our Lazard feature from our Stay or Go series.

Parris Campbell, Indianapolis Colts: A second-round pick in 2019, Campbell played in only 15 games his first three seasons. Finally healthy in 2022, he caught 63 passes for 623 yards and three touchdowns. He’s still got 4.31 speed and a 40-inch vertical, making him worthy of another look but perhaps with just a one-year, prove-your-health contract.

D.J. Chark, Detroit Lions: Chark caught 73 passes for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns for the Jaguars in 2019. However, those numbers slipped in 2020, he missed most of 2021 with an ankle injury and caught only 30 passes in 11 games for Detroit in 2022. From 2020 through 2022, Chark has eight drops vs. zero missed tackles. He can still stretch the field, though.

Darius Slayton, New York Giants: A fifth-round pick in 2019, Slayton had a strong fourth season with 46 receptions for 724 yards (15.7 average) and two touchdowns. He caught six passes for 79 yards vs. Green Bay in London. He’s fast (4.39 in the 40) but with suspect hands (seven drops in 2022).

Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints: Thomas led the NFL with 125 receptions in 2018 and 149 receptions for 1,725 yards in 2019. However, he’s played in only 10 games the past three seasons combined. In 2022, he averaged only 1.3 YAC per catch. You could do better by catching the ball and falling forward. He turned 30 on March 3.

Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs: If you can’t be a star with Patrick Mahomes, you probably can’t be a star. After setting career highs with 59 catches and 693 yards in 2021, Hardman caught 25 balls for 297 yards in eight games in 2022. He can be slippery (seven missed tackles in 2021) or have slippery fingers (eight drops in 2020).

Mack Hollins, Las Vegas Raiders: Hollins found himself a home in Las Vegas. A fourth-round pick with 56 catches in four seasons with the Eagles and Dolphins, Hollins caught 57 passes for 690 yards and four touchdowns while starting 16 times for the Raiders in 2022. At 6-foot-4 and 221 pounds, Hollins puts his size to use as a blocker.

Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings: Thielen will be a missing-piece player for a playoff contender. He’s not the dominant force that he was during his Pro Bowl seasons of 2017 and 2018 but he still caught 67 passes with 10 touchdowns in 2021 and 70 passes with six touchdowns in 2022. He’s got excellent hands and a nose for the end zone. He’ll turn 33 during camp.

Deandre Carter, Los Angeles Chargers: The Chargers were Carter’s fifth team in five seasons. He took full advantage with 48 receptions for 538 yards and three touchdowns. That essentially doubled his previous career-high totals. Undersized slot guys need to good after the catch; he’s broken one tackle in his career.