Somewhat quietly, Green Bay Packers receiver Allen Lazard was one of the NFL’s most efficient receivers a year ago. He produced modest numbers by volume, but a deep dive into his stats – like Packers Wire did here – revealed a highly efficient player who made the most of his opportunities.
Lazard has picked up right where he left off.
Three weeks into 2020, Lazard has the volume numbers and incredible efficiency.
In fact, he might be the NFL’s most efficient receiver to start this season.
First, the volume numbers: 13 catches, 254 yards, two touchdowns. He’s 12th in the NFL in receiving yards entering Week 4, and he’s on pace to catch 69 passes for 1,354 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Now let’s dive into his efficiency:
– Lazard has caught 76.5 percent of his targets and is averaging 19.5 yards per catch and 14.9 per target (third-best among players with at least 10 catches)
– Lazard is the NFL’s No. 1 receiver by DVOA and DYAR. His DVOA is 75.8 percent, meaning he’s been 75.8 percent better than the average receiver to start 2020. DVOA measures value per play, DYAR measures total value (here’s a simple explanation of DVOA)
– Aaron Rodgers has a perfect 158.3 passer rating when targeting Lazard
– Lazard is the only player with at least 10 targets with a perfect passer rating when targeted in 2020
– Lazard has five catches on third down. All five converted the first down
– Of Lazard’s 13 catches, 11 have gained first downs or scored touchdowns
– Lazard is averaging 2.62 yards per route run, which ranks among receivers with at least 10 targets, according to Pro Football Focus
– Lazard is one of six players with an NFL-high two catches of at least 40 yards
It’s obviously really early, and we’re only working with a three-game sample size, but Lazard has improved in just about every significant statistical category to start 2020, including his catch percentage, yards per catch and yards per target.
Lazard was certainly efficient after becoming a bigger part of the Packers offense in 2019. But as is the case for any young, mostly unproven player, there were legitimate question marks about his ability to return in 2020 and remain as efficient. Opponents had more tape and more time to figure out weaknesses. He’s answered many of those questions to start the season. Even without Davante Adams on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, Lazard produced, catching six passes for a career-high 146 yards and a score.
What a surprise: Through three games, the Packers might have the NFL’s most efficient receiver, and his name isn’t Davante.
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