Cincinnati Bengals

2017 NFL Draft Underrated Prospects: Jerome Lane, WR, Akron

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:16 p.m. ET

Fansided, Russell Brown/FanSided via NFL Mocks

Welcome back to The Underrated of the 2017 NFL Draft! This week, I discover another hidden gem for the 2017 NFL Draft!

There’s an old saying, “don’t forget where you came from.” Nobody will follow that better than Jerome Lane. When he steps onto the football field, he’s hard to miss at 6’3 — 220 lbs. He will certainly always be remembered when he returns home to Akron, Ohio.

Heading into the 2017 NFL Draft, does he carry the first round buzz like Mike Williams or John Ross? Honestly, I don’t think he will. That’s no knock on him, because he’s still an extremely raw player.

During his high school recruiting process. Jerome Lane signed to play linebacker at the University of Akron. One year later, he moved to the wide receiver position. Right here, right now, he’s still a very raw product at the position. Is he still producing at a high level? With 62 receptions, 1,018 yards and 6 touchdowns, that’s a yes. The scary part is, he’s only getting better.

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One of the best parts of Lane’s game is that he’s not even close to his true potential. When the combine comes around, he’ll run a 4.60 time in the 40 yard dash. His tape shows a big bodied receiver who’s sure handed, and has a ton of athleticism. He’ll need to improve the number of routes he can run and how well he can run them. On my scale, four out of his nine possible routes are graded at B or higher. With time, that will improve.

Over the last week, I’ve had the opportunity to talk with Lane. Despite listing Odell Beckham Jr. and Dez Bryant as his favorite players in the league, Lane plays very similar to Davante Adams of the Green Bay Packers. Both players are similar in size, run their routes the sam,e and were both sure handed coming out of college. I asked who he tries to replicate his game after, and his response was simple:

“I do not try to replicate any other WR because I think each individual has been blessed with their own set of skills and talent that are reflective of who they are and how they use it. I just try and be the best “Me” I can be.”

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Since coming to Akron Lane has only gotten better. To me, it’s obvious that he’s working hard at becoming the best player he can be. He’s doing everything in his power to follow the dream he set out for himself at nine-years-old; to be drafted into the NFL.

Lane has some large shoes to fill, as his father is Jerome Lane Sr. was a professional basketball player, and his mother was deployed in the Middle East when Lane was young.

However, Lane will fill those shoes just fine and make so many people proud. Not just friends and family, but the team he gets drafted by. He’d love to get drafted by his hometown team Browns or Bengals. Those aren’t the only teams on his list though, as the New York Giants, Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers are on his list as well.

Dec 22, 2015; Boise, ID, USA; Akron Zips cheer squad during first half action against the Utah State Aggies in the 2015 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at Bronco Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports

With every player during the NFL Draft process there’s a checklist, ranging from size, speed, athletic ability, production, potential, and character. Lane has checkmarks for all of those categories. Today, I could see him becoming a day two pick during the 2017 NFL Draft. Even though, he isn’t getting first round praise, he’s not letting it bother him. I asked him what it means to be on a list called “The Underrated” and he said:

I love being the underdog because when you come out, your talents begin to shine, and people are like “WOW” where did he come from it just makes you smile on the inside. If you’re a rated player and all the hype is around you, people typically expect you to perform a certain way and when you don’t it is the ultimate let down. However, when you are underrated no one really knows what to expect now do they?

I’m going to pre-warn every fantasy football owner. Jerome Lane should be stashed in your dynasty leagues now. He’s only getting started with being a productive player, and eventually, every Sunday you’ll hear his name.

Personally, I want to thank Jerome Lane for taking the time to talk with me. I wish him nothing but the best during the NFL Draft. Jerome, welcome to the league, and welcome to The Underrated.