10 potential DJ Chark replacements for the Detroit Lions in free agency

1. Allen Lazard

Lazard seemed resigned to leaving the Packers in free agency after their season-ending loss to the Lions. He also profanely told reporters he was unable to predict his own future, let alone Aaron Rodgers’.

"Definitely going into the game I kind of had a realization that my first game here and potentially my last game — which it is — was going to be versus the Lions at home,” Lazard said. “I took in just a few moments just to kind of soak it all in and just like pat myself on the back, I guess, and just be thankful for this opportunity and this experience to be here for four-plus years now, to see the growth I’ve made on the field, but more so off the field.” I don’t f*ckin’ know, shit, I don’t know where I’m gonna be at, I can’t worry about someone else.”"

Lazard set career-highs with 60 catches and 788 yards, with six touchdowns (second-most in his carer) this past season. He is a big target, and he has averaged more than 13 yards a catch in three of the last four seasons.

Lazard is one of the best run-blocking wide receivers in the NFL, practically tight end-like in that area of the game. That would bolster his fit with the Lions, and he’s got some peak years left at 27 years old.

Lazard’s contract projection on Spotrac is a little more than Chark’s on a per-year basis ($12.5 million vs. $9.5 million), but over the same term–three years. It seems Lazard would be an easy pivot for the Lions if Chark is lined up to be gone.