Who Should I Start? Allen Lazard or Breece Hall

Monday, August 25, 1:18 PM

New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard (shoulder) is on track to be available for Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Sept. 7, according to head coach Aaron Glenn. Lazard suffered a shoulder injury in the team's preseason opener on Aug. 9 and didn't play in the final two games. The 29-year-old will probably be on the first official injury report next week, but a long as he doesn't have a setback, he could be out on the field for the season opener. Fantasy managers will be avoiding him if he's active, though, as Lazard is merely competing for a depth role behind WR1 Garrett Wilson in New York with Josh Reynolds and Tyler Johnson. Lazard rebounded somewhat in 2024 in his second year with the team, but he's mostly been a dissapointment for the Jets with 60 catches on 109 targets for 841 yards and seven touchdowns in 26 games (22 starts).

Sunday, August 17, 2:46 AM

New York Jets running back Breece Hall rushed for 26 yards on seven carries in his team's 31-12 loss to the New York Giants on Saturday. He failed to bring in his only target. Hall saw the team's first carry two plays into their opening possession, but was immediately relieved for backfield mate Braelon Allen on the next play from scrimmage. Allen was promptly stuffed for no gain on third-and-short, but remained on the field as the offense went for it on fourth down. The duo split pretty evenly for the next two series, with Hall out-touching him 7-to-4, though Allen notably operated in short-yardage situations. Whether that was the plan or a coincidence is unclear, but it's undoubtedly concerning for Hall's touchdown upside, as it leaves the door open for Allen to vulture him in those instances. Whatever the split, it seems these two are fated to cannibalize each other this season in the Jets' rushing attack. With the added threat of quarterback Justin Fields around the goal line, this backfield could be a source of headaches for fantasy managers. The Iowa State product will get one more preseason opportunity to make his case to be the lead back when New York squares off against the Philadelphia Eagles next Friday.