The Cleveland Browns are still stinging from the way their 2021 NFL season ended. Once again, they missed the playoffs are left with a ton of questions to answer. One of those happens to be about the future of quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Outside of the quarterback position, the Browns will also need to look at upgrading the offense around it. Gone is the hope that Odell Beckham Jr. will turn things around. He was released after major issues and ended up signing with the Los Angeles Rams.
Left at wide receiver are Jarvis Landry, Anthony Schwartz, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Rashard Higgins. While Landry is a very good player, he is much better served as duo with another good wideout. Cleveland may not be able to find a star in free agency, but there are some quality players they should look at.
Looking ahead to the upcoming free agency period, the Browns should be target one sleeper free agent already. That sleeper free agent is Green Bay Packers wideout Allen Lazard.
Lazard has had a great two seasons with the Packers and has looked capable of doing even more. Playing behind Davante Adams only leaves so many targets for Lazard, but he has made the most of them. Having the opportunity to play with Rodgers has helped Lazard, but his game in general is very good.
During the 2021 regular season, Lazard ended up catching a career-high 40 passes for 513 yards and eight touchdowns. Those numbers aren’t huge, but once again, his role isn’t huge behind Adams.
Standing in at 6-foot-5 and just under 230 pounds, Lazard would give the Browns a much-needed big target. He is more talented than anyone behind Landry, but would compliment Landry perfectly. For a guy like Mayfield, this is exactly the kind of move that Cleveland needs to make.
At just 26 years of age, Allen Lazard is just now entering his prime. He has been slowly becoming a bigger playmaker for the Packers and with a bigger opportunity he could have a massive breakout season. The Browns could be the team to offer him that kind of role.
All of that being said, the Browns are going to be an extremely interesting team to watch this offseason. They have a lot of decisions to make, but pursuing Lazard should be something they consider. It’s a move that would make their offense better, with or without Mayfield.
