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There are two Jordan Lasleys that NFL teams are forced to look at. There is @LegendaryLasley, which is his Twitter handle, that appropriately describes the kind of talent that allowed Lasley to be the only receiver at UCLA to have consecutive games of 200 yards receiving. Lasley did this against USC and California late in the 2017 season. Lasley also tied Freddie Mitchell for the school single-season record with seven 100-yard receiving games. Moreover, there’s the Jordan Lasley, that according to Pro Football Focus, allowed UCLA Bruins QB’s to have a 124.8 passer rating when he was targeted.
Unfortunately, there is also the Lasley that was suspended multiple times during his time at UCLA, and arrested twice in 2016 for alcohol possession and presenting a fake ID at a Los Angles club.
To Lasley’s credit, has publicly acknowledged the need to be better and improve himself and now we will see how exactly the NFL weighs the high level talent of Lasley compared with his checkered pass.
Strengths
Jordan Lasley has the size and speed that definitely fits in the NFL. This size and speed is also combined with an element of elusiveness that allowed Lasley to excel in yards after the catch as he averaged 8.8 yards after the catch in 2017. When Lasley catches the ball in space, he’s one of those receivers that can take it to the house.
Weaknesses
As UCLA fans know all too well, Lasley was one of many receivers that struggled with the most important job of a wide receiver, catching the ball. Lasley dropped 21 passes over his last two seasons,
Lasley also struggled in the other area that no player can struggle in, which is staying on the field and avoiding off-field trouble.
Comparisons
If I were to make a NFL comparison for Jordan Lasley, he reminds me of Nelson Agholor for the Eagles. NFL.com makes the comparison of Lasley to Torrey Smith. Another player that Lasley reminds me of is former Steelers WR Santonio Holmes.
Projection
NFL.com projects Jordan Lasley to be drafted in rounds two or three. I have seen other projections that have him going as low as round five. I will split the difference and project that a player with his size and speed will intrigue NFL teams enough to draft him in round three or four.
Go Bruins!