It’s week 1 and the worst part of any fantasy season is injuries. One key injury on the Packers is wide receiver Allen Lazard. Lazard is slated to be WR1 and Aaron Rodgers has been very vocal about it. He has not practiced all week and all signs point to him not being ready to go for Sunday’s game. Here are Packers players whose fantasy stock is rising with the Allen Lazard injury.
Packers Running Backs Stock Rising
Aaron Jones is now a clear RB1. This is not the first time that the Packers have been without their top receiver due to an injury. In all of those games, Jones has played a greater role in the passing game. One memorable game came against the Chiefs where Jones caught 7 passes for 159 yards and 2 TDs. He also led the Packers in rushing. In PPR leagues especially he is slated to have a big week. This also increases AJ Dillon‘s stock as well. If Jones is used more as a receiver, look for Dillon to get more of the backfield reps. Dillon becomes a viable flex option in most leagues.
Who Will Rodgers Throw the Ball To?
Aaron Jones won’t catch all of the passes. Sammy Watkins becomes the clear WR1. While you may be cautious about Watkins long term, week 1 he has been really good. In 2019 Watkins caught 9 passes for 198 yards and 3 TDs. He didn’t have quite as good of days in 2020 and 2021 but they were respectable enough that you wouldn’t hate yourself for starting him. Another player to watch out for is TE Robert Tonyan. The Packers are saying Tonyan is good to go. Tonyan was a favorite red zone target for Rodgers when he caught 11 TDs. This is a riskier pick in my opinion but the history is definitely there. The rookies are where the risk really comes.
Packers Rookie Wide Receivers
Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson definitely get a bump in value here but the question is how much. Doubs is the favorite to play on the outside opposite Watkins. There is optimism that he could see some targets as well if Watkins gets more attention. Nate Burleson of NFL.com offered a bold prediction that Doubs has a huge day and catches 2 TD passes from Rodgers. I’ll be honest, I have no idea what to do with Christian Watson. He could be really good and have a huge day. He could have 1 target. I have no clue. Romeo Doubs is worth a start in a flex spot if you are desperate. I would stay away from Watson.
If you do have Allen Lazard on your team I wouldn’t fret. The injury doesn’t seem serious and he should be back soon. For now, these are the Packers players whose fantasy stock is rising thanks to the Allen Lazard injury.