With the NFL Combine just wrapping up on Sunday, there were a bunch of talented players in attendance showing off what they were made of. While the Buffalo Bills have many positions to fill, there is certainly no shortage of players to meet those needs once they decide which direction to go.
If the brass decides to go the wide receiver route, one skilled player they need to take notice of is Ja'Kobi Lane out of USC. He would be a great complement to Buffalo's own wideout Khalil Shakir.
Ja'Kobi Lane NFL Draft Scouting Report
Height: 6' 4"
Weight: 200 lbs.
Expected 40-Yard Dash Time: 4.47
Recruiting: 4-star recruit, Not ranked nationally, No. 32 ranked as a wide receiver
College Production: 30 career games, 19 career starts, 1,363 career yards on 99 career catches, and 18 career touchdowns
Positives:
• Strong, physical player, especially when making catches while leaping over defensive backs in his way.
• At 6'4", 200 lbs, his frame makes him eligible for those 50/50 balls and could rebirth the fourth down goal line fade play with his jumping abilities.
• Shows he knows how to play on an NFL stage, while at the Las Vegas Bowl in Allegiant Stadium in Nevada.
• Notices the deep ball well before completing the catch with two hands, and is a player who will open up in the deep passing game.
• Is a slick route runner, as USC receivers have previously been, while faking out corners with double moves, creating separation.
• Has exceptional hands for a lengthy wideout who can catch any ball on the block and runs great downhill routes.
• Exhibits keen football sense against zone and off-ball coverages, finding weak spots and understanding how to out-maneuver defensive backs who are playing with cushion.
Lane is a big-bodied receiver with very consistent hands. Coming from USC, he's another one of those receivers who enable the body and the skill of an NFL receiver, especially when it comes to polishing up the route running. You need these big-bodied receivers now, especially ones like Lane who will be NFL-ready when lining up against taller and physical cornerbacks.
Negatives:
• At 6'4" and 200 lbs, his body may not withstand the pressure from some of the more physical and bigger NFL cornerbacks.
• His speed doesn't blow you away at 4.47, but it's still pretty fast for a taller, more possession-type wide receiver.
• The routes at USC were more condensed of hitches, fades, and clearing routes. In the NFL, he will be seeing more jumbo sets and bunched formations. Some teams could question how fast he could learn all the NFL's plays.
• He dropped 8 passes out of 92 in his last two years. He needs to work on his ball-hand placement to address his inconsistencies.
• His run blocking needs some attention. He needs to update his skills in maintaining blocks when his number is called, especially if he wants to join the NFL.
Lane worked on all these traits during his three-year stint, but he will still need to work on the important things of being a big target in the NFL. Since 2023, NFL coaches have made it a point of emphasis that receivers must also be able to block in the run game if they expect to be targeted or to make a catch. Otherwise, they won't be targeted until they learn.
Ja'Kobi Lane NFL Player Comparison: Cowboys' WR George Pickens
If the star wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys is Lane's ceiling, then watch out for Lane in his first few seasons in the NFL. They are both big-bodied wide receivers who were physically ready for the NFL game.
George Pickens and Lane can also make the big contested 50'50 balls and come down with the ball square in their hands. They both exhibit timing, length, and confidence.
It shows that the two skilled wide receivers are both strong leaders on their respective teams.
Ja'Kobi Lane fit With Buffalo Bills
Lane should come in and earn that No.1 receiver spot to put him alongside Keon Coleman with Shakir in the slot. This way, their two outside wideouts would be big, physical body types who would make tough spec catches and also do their part by blocking in the run game before earning their touches.
Then Shakir could be put back in the slot, given his speed, quickness, and ability to create yards after the catch. And think what quarterback Josh Allen could do with a great target like Lane.
Ja'Kobi Lane NFL Draft Grade: Late First Round, Early Day 2
Originally, Lane was projected to be a second or third round pick, but after his impressive combine showing, he may be able to slip late in the first round. If the Bills do go wide receiver at No. 26, they could go with the skilled USC product over someone like wideout Denzel Boston from the University of Washington.
Lane is the prototypical wide receiver built in the USC school of wide receivers, and it wouldn't shock me if he even ends up being a better NFL wide receiver than his USC teammate Makai Lemon.