Who Should I Start? Allen Lazard or Khadarel Hodge

Friday, February 14, 5:38 PM

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt writes that New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard is fully expected to be released after Year 2 of his disastrous four-year, $44 million contract he signed as a free agent in 2023. Lazard was downright bad in 2023 and played only slightly better with quarterback Aaron Rodgers last year before getting hurt late in the season. The 29-year-old was one of the most drop-prone receivers in the league and admitted that he struggles when Rodgers isn't on the field. The Jets will sav $6.6 million in salary cap space if/when they cut Lazard while taking on $6.5 million in dead money. If he's a post-June 1 cut, the Jets would save $11 million with a $2.1 million dead-cap penalty. Lazard was a major miss, catching 60 passes for 841 yards and seven touchdowns in his two seasons with the Jets. If Rodgers retires this offseason, Lazard would be pretty bummed.

Sunday, January 5, 7:53 AM

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge should not be considered a playable option despite a possible opportunity Sunday against Carolina. With the Falcons unlikely to have wide receiver Darnell Mooney (shoulder), the Falcons have an opening, but the journeyman receiver hasn't been reliable enough to count on in Week 18. Earlier this year, he one catch against Dallas despite playing 81% of offensive snaps. Hodge has just one catch in the past five weeks total, a rookie quarterback in Michael Penix Jr., and a solid Atlanta running game that figures to be the central part of the gameplan on Sunday. Managers in formats that play Week 18 have better options elsewhere.