Who Should I Start? Allen Lazard or Kenneth Walker III

Thursday, July 25, 9:20 AM

New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard signed a four-year, $44 million contract to join his longtime quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the organization last offseason, but after Rodgers went down with a torn Achilles on the first drive of the year, Lazard had a disastrous campaign. The former undrafted free agent caught just 23 passes for 311 yards and one touchdown in 14 games. With Rodgers back, Jets reporter Rich Cimini labeled Lazard as a potential bounce-back candidate. "Lazard was one of the standouts in the Jets' first practice, making two nifty catches on passes from quarterback Aaron Rodgers," Cimini wrote. "One good practice doesn't equate to a full comeback, but it should do wonders for his confidence. Privately, some in the organization felt he suffered from a confidence problem last season, his first in New York after signing a big free agent deal." With Mike Williams (knee) on the PUP list, Lazard will see extra reps with the first-team offense. Additionally, there's no guarantee that third-round rookie Malachi Corley will start the season ahead of Lazard in the target pecking order. While it's tough to get excited about Lazard's fantasy prospects, his cost outside the top 100 wide receivers makes him worth a dart throw in deep leagues. After all, he has the most chemistry with Rodgers, who is known for being a stickler on familiarly.

Thursday, August 1, 9:22 AM

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III has hit the ground running since being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The former Doak Walker Award winner has racked up 1,955 yards rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns in his first 30 pro contents. Heading into Year 3, he has reportedly impressed the new Seattle staff in training camp. "Kenneth Walker III was the star of Monday's practice, the first one in full pads, and it reflected the sort of spring and summer he's had," NFL Insider Albert Breer wrote. "To the new staff, he looks like the kind of back you can play on all three downs, and build a running game around. And Zach Charbonnet gives the team some depth behind him." Walker has been a productive fantasy running back, but if he can command a higher opportunity share ahead of Charbonnet, he could enter the next tier. It's tough to know what to expect from the Seahawks' offense in 2024, but it sounds like Walker will remain the clear RB1, and his speed and explosiveness give him the ability to produce spike weeks.