Allen Lazard paid handsomely

Jets WR Allen Lazard’s contract calls for $22 million guaranteed, the most handed out to a free-agent pass catcher this offseason. The guys behind him: Jakobi Meyers ($21 million), JuJu Smith-Schuster ($16 million), and Odell Beckham ($15 million). Lazard set career highs last year in targets (100), catches (60), and yards (788), despite two missed games. He just wasn’t particularly efficient. In a sample of 41 WRs, he sat 19th in yards per catch, 30th in Pro Football Focus receiving grade, 32nd in yards per route run, and 35th in catch rate. Lazard’s contract says he’ll be the clear No. 2 WR behind Garrett Wilson. A history with Aaron Rodgers and OC Nathaniel Hackett also supplies an edge. Said Lazard (via the Jets’ official site): “For me, playing in the same offense really my entire career, having Coach Hackett every single year except for last year, and then be able to reunite again with him here, has been a rejuvenating feeling to be able to have him and his energy around.” Projected for 97 targets (in 16 games), Lazard hits the WR rankings as a spot-start WR3.