Former NFL All-Pro wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. says that this Baltimore Ravens rookie wide receiver will take on a unique role in Declan Doyle's offense.
The Baltimore Ravens have revamped their wide receiver room ahead of the 2026 season, which includes rookie pass-catcher Ja'Kobi Lane.
Lane has a chance to play a vital role in the Ravens' offense in 2026, and former NFL All-Pro wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. believes he could ultimately be the Isaiah Likely replacement.
Smith said he believes Lane could be the Ravens next big target with Likely gone.
"He's [Ja'Kobi Lane], their version of Isaiah Likely," Smith Sr. said.
"He is that other option in the middle of the field that can big body someone because Mark Andrews, he's going to chip. He's getting a little bit older. He's going to give you the stuff underneath. But, Isaiah Likely, you remember it was pivotal against the Kansas City Chiefs in that comeback when they needed that big play. He was just maybe a few centimeters, a few inches, off from that being a go-ahead winning touchdown to being out of bounds. But where was that ball thrown? Up top. And so now they get that guy."
The USC product is one of two rookies that the Ravens drafted this year. Lane has tremendous tools that could translate well in the NFL.
In his time at Southern California, head coach Lincoln Riley utilized Lane as a versatile outside receiver and a highly reliable red-zone threat. He certainly has the size for it.
Standing at 6-foot-4, the 21-year-old was frequently used on downfield and on back shoulder fades, using all of his 40-inch vertical and then some.
The expectation is that he will be used the same way in Declan Doyle's offense, but Lane will do whatever is necessary for the team to succeed.
"Whatever the team needs me to do, I'm going to fulfill it," Lane said. "I don't really care whether that's special teams, playing receiver, being a package guy, I think being able to be around Coach Doyle, his idea for the offense is next level. And I think I'm going to fit in wherever I'm put in, and I'm going to fulfill my role to the best of my ability."
Likely operated as a versatile chess piece under former offensive coordinator Todd Monken. On top of that, the Ravens frequently relied on the former fourth-round pick as a secondary target in the passing game, especially in the red zone and on screen plays.
The expectation for Lane under Doyle’s offense is to be a big-bodied playmaker who will be used in the red zone and be a contested-catch weapon for Lamar Jackson. However, he was also being used as an over-the-middle receiver during OTAs and minicamp, meaning the Ravens OC could have some interesting scheme fits for the tall pass catcher.
The Ravens selected Lane in the third round of this year’s draft with the 80th overall pick.
