Allen Lazard replacements: 5 WRs Jets should target to pair with Garrett Wilson in 2026

The New York Jets have moved on from wide receiver Allen Lazard after a three-year stint that failed to live up to expectations.

Signed to a four-year, $44 million contract ahead of the 2023 campaign to reunite with Aaron Rodgers, Lazard never justified the investment, as injuries to both players continually disrupted the partnership.

The 30-year-old wideout managed just 10 receptions for 70 yards and one touchdown this season while appearing in 10 games, including two starts. Overall, Lazard finishes his Jets tenure with 70 catches for 911 yards and eight touchdowns across three seasons.

With Lazard now out of the picture, the Jets will need to prioritize finding a reliable WR2 to complement Garrett Wilson heading into the 2026 season. Below are five options the team could consider.

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Top five Allen Lazard potential replacements for the New York Jets

1) Mike Evans

While Mike Evans’ streak of 1,000-yard seasons appears likely to end, the 32-year-old wideout has shown he still has plenty left in the tank. He eclipsed 100 receiving yards in his first game back from injury against the Atlanta Falcons last week.

Considering his age and recent injury history, retirement is a possibility. However, if Evans decides to keep playing, the Jets could target him as a veteran red-zone threat with excellent ball skills. If healthy, he would offer New York a dependable short-term option at wide receiver.

2) George Pickens

George Pickens has emerged as one of the Cowboys’ top offensive weapons in a career year in Dallas, but his rookie deal expires after the 2025 season, opening the door to a potential departure next offseason. With the Cowboys expected to be tight against the salary cap in 2026, retaining Pickens on a long-term deal may prove difficult.

If he becomes available, Pickens would check every box for the Jets as a physical, downfield threat who pairs perfectly with Garrett Wilson. In 14 games this year, he has hauled in 81 receptions for 1,212 yards and eight touchdowns.

3) Carnell Tate

Fortunately for the Jets, they are well-positioned with both draft capital and salary-cap flexibility over the next two offseasons. If the team uses one of its two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft on a new quarterback, finding another high-end receiver should rank near the top of its priorities.

Ohio State’s Carnell Tate fits that profile. An explosive receiver with advanced instincts, he offers the kind of polish teams look for in an early-round prospect. The Buckeyes have become a factory for NFL wideouts, including Garrett Wilson, and Tate has the tools to follow that path. His vertical ability, route running, and reliable hands would give a young Jets quarterback a dependable weapon immediately.

4) Makai Lemon

Lemon also profiles as a strong first-round option for the Jets. The USC star has the tools to form a dangerous trio alongside Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell.

Explosive, athletic, and lethal after the catch, Lemon is physically imposing and also has polished route-running that separates him from most receivers in the class. After earning the Biletnikoff Award as college football’s top wideout, he is widely expected to be a first-round selection, following a trend that has seen six of the last seven winners drafted on Day 1.

5) Jordyn Tyson

Drafting Jordyn Tyson in 2026 could be a franchise-defining decision for the New York Jets. The Arizona State star is widely projected as a top-10 pick and is already being discussed by some scouts as the best wide receiver in his draft class.

Tyson brings explosive playmaking ability, sharp route-running, and elite body control, qualities that usually make him a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses. His physicality at the catch and effectiveness in the red zone would pair seamlessly with Garrett Wilson’s separation skills, giving the Jets a significantly upgraded passing attack.

This season, Tyson totaled 61 catches for 711 yards and eight touchdowns in nine games, following a breakout 2024 season where he had 1,100 receiving yards and found the end zone 10 times.

Edited by Brad Taningco