Jerome Lane, WR, Akron: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report
A former defender, Akron’s Jerome Lane became one of the top wide receivers in the MAC. He left school a year early, but is he ready to make an impact?
Player Summary
Jerome Lane, a 2013 three-star recruit, started 23 of 37 career games for Akron. After redshirting in 2013, he began his career as a backup linebacker and safety for the Zips in 2014. After recording 14 tackles and five sacks on defense, Lane switched to the offensive side of the ball prior to the 2015 season.
In two seasons at wide receiver, Lane caught 101 passes for 1,800 and 14 touchdowns. He was named third-team all-MAC in 2016 and was invited to the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine. He played for one head coach and one coordinator on each side of the ball at Akron. He possesses good size and length on a strong frame with marginal athletic ability.
Measureables
Height: 6’2” 1/2
Weight: 226 lbs.
Arm Length: 31.5”
Hand Size: 9.75”
Combine Numbers
40-Yard Dash: 4.60 seconds
Bench Press: 16 reps
Vertical Jump: 35”
Broad Jump: 10’5”
3-Cone Drill: 6.87 seconds
Short Shuttle: 4.12 seconds
Games Watched
2016: Marshall, Toledo, Western Michigan, Wisconsin
2015: Utah State
Strengths
Jerome Lane demonstrates very good play strength by quickly fighting through press coverage at the line of scrimmage and beginning the stem of his route. He shows good awareness against zone coverage to find the hole in the defense as a result of solid mental processing skills.
When the ball is in the air, Lane displays good tracking skills on both short and deep passes and uses his large frame to box out defenders. He possesses a large catch radius and has a very good ability to adjust to passes around his frame.
As seen in the play below, Lane does a very good job of adjusting to the pass thrown behind him. Once he catches the pass, he displays strong hands and good concentration skills as he holds on through contact with the defender attempting to rip the ball away.
Still a raw WR prospect, Jerome Lane of Akron does a very good job adjusting to passes around his frame. pic.twitter.com/IR3S51xJl6
— Shawn Spencer (@Spencer_NFL) April 9, 2017
In the run game, Lane is a willing and skilled blocking who drives the defender off the line of scrimmage and away from the ball when facing press coverage. Against off coverage, he locates a defender to block and prevents them from making a play on the ball carrier.
Weaknesses
When given a free release, Jerome Lane lacks explosiveness off the line of scrimmage and displays marginal acceleration throughout the stem of his route. When he reaches the top of the stem, he possesses adequate change of direction skills. As a result, he is unable to create separation from the defender.
When the play breaks down, Lane stops his route and doesn’t attempt to get open; forcing his quarterback to look elsewhere. When the ball does come his way, he allows too many of passes into his body rather than snatching the ball out of the air with his hands. This results in drops, as seen in the play below. Lane goes up for the ball and keeps his palms up. As he attempts to bring the ball into his chest, the ball comes loose and falls to the ground.
After the catch, Lane’s acceleration upfield is adequate. That, along with marginal tackle-breaking skills, hampers his ability to generate yards after the catch.
Overall
Overall, Jerome Lane is a developmental receiver who wins with competitive toughness. He’s not someone who possesses the quickness to create separation from defensive backs. He’s not expected to be selected in the 2017 NFL Draft and will begin his career on a practice squad.
Lane is an intriguing prospect who could be used in several ways at the next level. He was a productive receiver at Akron, however his inability to create separation may have some teams viewing him as a tight end if he can carry another 10-15 pounds on his frame.
Other teams may even want to move him back to the defensive side of the ball. He possesses very good instincts and safety may be the best position for him in the NFL. Regardless of the position he plays, his future employer will hope to see highlight reel plays from Lane, much like those his father created as a basketball player at Pittsburgh.