Mobile, Ala. – By the time the New Orleans Saints played Atlanta in their season finale on Jan. 4, the receiving corps didn't remotely resemble the group New Orleans projected would be running routes in 2025.
Chris Olave's career-best, All-Pro season was over (blood clot) after Week 17; Rashid Shaheed (trade) and Brandin Cooks (released) hadn't been on the roster since Nov. 4 and Nov. 9, respectively; Devaughn Vele (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve Dec. 19; and Bub Means' season ended before it began with a trip to season-ending injured reserve in August.
Thus, the Saints finished without their top four receivers — possibly their top five if Means, a fifth-round draft pick in 2024, is included. So it wouldn't be shocking if the Saints were eyeing receivers this week during practices for the Panini Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala.
USC receiver Ja'Kobi Lane could be among those who elicit a peek.
Lane — who measured in at 6-foot-4, 196 pounds — caught 49 passes for 745 yards and four touchdowns last season. In 2024, he caught 12 touchdowns and totaled 525 yards on 43 catches.
The Senior Bowl is providing him with an avenue to display his skills to NFL teams.Working under American team head coach Joel Thomas — the Saints' associate head coach — Lane is focused on showcasing his speed and competitive drive against the nation's top talent.
"Show some of my ball skills, being able to separate at the top of routes," Lane said Tuesday after practice. "Prove that I have some speed on me, not just a possession-catch wide receiver. And that I'm willing to compete. Everybody is the best out here.
"Not only are you interviewing with all the NFL teams, but you're competing against the best in the country. So if you can win reps here, you can win reps anywhere. Being able to show not only the scouts that, but yourself that, it proves something."
Lane didn't stack huge yardage numbers with the Trojans, but his touchdown totals displayed the ability to win one-on-one matchups and utilize his size.
On consecutive pass attempts during one-on-ones Tuesday, Lane drew a defensive pass interference and a defensive hold and later, during team drills, he caught a deep pass across the middle from LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier.
Among the standout receiving plays Tuesday were two by National team receivers: Texas Tech's Caleb Douglas reeled in a long pass over two defenders from North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton in a team drill, and Baylor's Josh Cameron made a diving catch inside the right pylon for a touchdown in a one-on-one near the end of practice.
Even with Lane's size and catch radius, he knows there's room for improvement in that area.
"There comes a time where I know guys are looking at me because I'm a bigger target, trying to get their hands on me," he said. "That's why I've got to be better, kind of use my size to my advantage and power through things. But other than that, just being able to be the receiver I am in those one-on-one situations and take advantage."
Lane said the team that drafts him will acquire a "super savvy guy that can do it all."
"I'm a great learner," he said. "I ask all the right questions because without asking questions, you'll never know the answers. Being able to depend on who I am as a person and not be worried about the outcome is who I am."
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
Check out photos from Day 1 of practices at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring top NFL Draft prospects and Saints personnel including Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas, Quarterbacks Coach Scott Tolzien, Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Wilber, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Robert Blanton, and Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Martinez working with players.
