Allen Lazard Scouting Report

Photo from Kelby Wingert, Iowa State Daily

Written by Christian Lysek

Iowa State WR Allen Lazard Scouting Report:

Measurables: 6’4-1/4’’, 227 lbs, 9-7/8’’ hands, 32-1/2’’ arms

Year (Age): Redshirt Senior (22)

Career stats by year: 

2017- 13 games, 71 catches, 941 yards, 10 TDs

2016- 12 games, 69 catches, 1018 yards, 7 TDs

2015- 11 games, 56 receptions, 808 yards, 6 TDs

2014- 12 games, 45 catches, 593 yards, 3 TDs

Combine:

40-yard dash: 4.55 seconds

Vertical Jump: 38 inches

Broad Jump: 122 inches

Bench Press: 17 reps

Strengths: Allen Lazard looks like a WR1. He is tall, musculed out, and has enormous hands. The main concern I would have with a player that big is that he might be a limited athlete, but he does not look like one on film. Lazard is surprisingly fast on vertical routes and can blow past corners, even if they are if off coverage. Lazard does a good job against press coverage too, as he is too strong to jam off of the line of scrimmage. Lazard’s good route running and big frame also keep corners from making plays on the balls. Lazard move in and out of his breaks pretty fast for a big man and is good at disguising his intentions from corners. Lazard’s best attribute, however is his hands. Iowa State’s quarterbacks threw some of the ugliest passes I have ever seen and Lazard somehow caught every one if them. It doesn’t matter if the ball is a perfect spiral rocketing towards the ground or a floating jump ball, Lazard turns these 50-50 balls into 90-10 catches. He has impeccable concentration when the ball and strong hands to rip it away from defenders. On top of this, Lazard is a pretty decent blocker who gives effort.

Weaknesses: The only real flaw Lazard has is his inability to pick up yards after the catch. He does not accelerate fast enough to pull away from defenders, and he lacks the shiftiness in the open field to evade tacklers. This affects his effectiveness when catching passes over the middle of the field, where YAC is very important. While Lazard is a decent blocker, he needs to hold blocks longer for it to be a true strength.

Pro Comparison: Mike Williams

The Chargers first round pick last season, Mike Williams isn't known for speed, but rather great hands, concentration, and an ability to adjust to any ball. Lazard won't be drafted quite as high, but their skillsets are comparable.

Three Teams that Fit: The Bills need wide receivers after losing all of their best ones in free agency and trades (Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, Marquis Goodwin). Pick up Lazard somewhere in the first two rounds would give the Bills a true number one wide receiver with size and downfield ability. The Browns whiffed on Kenny Britt and could use a big wide receiver since Corey Coleman is small and the Jury is still out on Josh Gordon. Lazard would fit the bill and could catch all of those ugly throws Brown’s quarterbacks toss. The Bears also need a WR1 for their young quarterback, and Lazard would be the perfect option in the second round given his size and hands.

Where he should go: Top 50 Picks

Where he (probably) will go: 3^rd Round

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Combine Results courtesy of MockDraftable.com, Drop Percentage courtesy of Pro Football Focus, Career Statistics courtesy of sports-reference.com/cfb, Date of Birth courtesy of Scout Hub