Being a rookie in the NFL doesn’t have to mean waiting several years to succeed. Last season, the rookie of the year award went to Tetairoa McMillan, who led his team to a playoff berth. Ja’Kobi Lane could be another example of a rookie who makes a huge impact right away.
Declan Doyle, the new offensive coordinator in Baltimore, was in the same role for the Bears last season, where he had two young rookies on offense make a huge impact early. Colston Loveland looked like a top-five tight end down the stretch last season, even breaking a postseason record for most receiving yards as a rookie. Luther Burden was right behind him, and he could very well end up being the Bears’ best receiver after a promising rookie season.
Declan Doyle knows exactly how to get the most out of his young guys, and the next example of that will be Jakobi Lane. Lane’s talent and his skill set will give him the opportunity to be in a great position to shine. The buzz on Lane is already really high. He fits the mold of a target that Lamar Jackson will not only love to target but also one that he will need to feed the ball to for the Ravens offensive success.
I can see Lane being a factor in the red zone and even becoming a go-to guy late in ball games. If he showcases that talent and he earns the trust early, Doyle will put him in every opportunity to make plays. The expectations are not as high for Lane as they are for the other first-round receivers, but I think he is a talent who can outperform those expectations.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Declan Doyle helped Caleb Williams, and now he can help Ja’Kobi Lane
Reporting by Micah Huff, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
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