New Orleans Saints eye USC WR Ja’Kobi Lane as draft option

By Ross Jackson

The New Orleans Saints still haven’t landed a new wide receiver addition in free agency. Many options remain as the receiver market has moved slowly. However, the Saints could look to the draft to add to the group. 

Headlined by Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele, the rest of the Saints receiving corps is either coming off of season-long injuries in 2025 or carries question marks going into 2026. 

Landing another surefire option in the draft won’t require New Orleans to solely focus on first-round possibilities. Effective pass-catchers can be secured in the later rounds. USC wideout Ja’Kobi Lane is a promising example. 

USC WR Ja’Kobi Lane 

Age: 21

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 200 pounds

Arm length: 32 ⅝ inches

Hand size: 10 ½ inches

Combine Testing

40-yard dash: 4.47s

Vertical: 40 inches

Broad jump: 10-foot-9

Bench reps: 11

RAS: 9.38

Ja’Kobi Lane does such a great job of using head fakes to sell routes.

He’s creating more separation vertically this season and continues to impressive as true three-level threat at wide receiver. #USC pic.twitter.com/obz3qaxl6Y

— Kendell Hollowell (@KHollowell_) October 29, 2025

Lane brings the always desirable combination of size and speed to the position. His 6-foot-4 frame allows him to sky over defenders to make some tough catches. But he also has strong hands that allow him to pull in some Sportscenter Top-10 worthy grabs. 

He was the second-leading receiver for the Trojans in 2025 behind expected first round wideout Makai Lemon. 

Lane’s specialty in the league may start off as a red zone threat in role, but has shown that his game can expand to all three levels, especially last year. 

He’s a contested catch merchant that still has room to grow in that area. Despite his size and highlight grabs, he pulled in just 49 percent of his contested opportunities over the course of his time at USC. 

2025 Stats

Receptions: 49

Receiving yards: 745

Touchdown catches: 4

USC WR Ja’Kobi Lane (6’4 195) is physical with smooth movement skills. USC lost a few WRs to the portal, opening the door for Lane to take over this passing attack! pic.twitter.com/XgpBr2G941

— Damian Parson💰 (@DP_NFL) July 22, 2025

• Aggressive in attacking the football mid-air, as opposed to waiting for it to arrive. 
• Has a strong enough frame to continue to add mass. 
• Has an expansive catch radius to erase inaccurate throw concerns. 
• Smooth route runner that added nuance to his approach in 2025. 
• Knows how to use his late hands and crate space with the ball in the air. 
• Had four drops in 2025.
• Touchdown production declined in 2025. Had 12 scoring receptions in 2024. 
• Can get re-routed by physical defenders. 
• Not known for being dynamic with the ball in his hands. 

The Bottom Line

Whether the Saints are looking to double-up at wide receiver or wait for a bigger-bodied option, Lane could be a strong addition late in day two or early in day three. 

He’ll likely need to up his play strength at the next level in order to match pro physicality. But adding weight to his frame could do the trick. 

Lane and Vele would provide the team two receivers with expansive catch radiuses that move better than most expect at their size. But the need for yards after catch ability would remain.