Dane Key
Dane Key  WR  Nebraska | NFL Draft 2026 Souting Report - Portrait Image
Dane Key
Height
6-3
Weight
210
College
Nebraska
Position
WR
Class
Junior
Home town
Lexington, KY
82.1/100
Player Rating
22
PositionRank (WR)
4.5
FortyYD Time
Receptions
47
Rec YDs
715
Rec TDs
2
Rec AVG
15.2

Dane Key WR Nebraska | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Dane Key WR Nebraska
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

ROLE: Outside X-Receiver
Last Updated: 05/30/2025
Draft Year: 2026
40 time: 4.50 seconds (51%*)
Age: 21.11 DOB: 07/01/2003
Measurables:
Height: 6-3 (79%*) Weight: 210 (71%*)
Forty: 4.50 (O) (51%*)
0% 100%
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other (HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
ROLE: Outside X-Receiver
Last Updated: 05/30/2025
Draft Year: 2026
40 time: 4.50 seconds (51%*)
Age: 21.11 DOB: 07/01/2003
Measurables:
0% 100%
Height: 6-3 (79%*) Weight: 210 (71%*)
Forty: 4.50 (O) (51%*)
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other
(HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
Overall Rating: 82.1 / 100
Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced
Defense Rating:
77%
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects.
QB Rating When targeted: 74.5
Hands:
76%
Short Receiving:
82%
Intermediate Routes:
89%
Deep Threat:
87%
Blocking:
65%
DRAFT PROJECTION: 5th
Overall Rank: #160 Position rank: #22
College Games: 37 College Snaps: 1760
Grade: 4 ESPN  Stars 4 ESPN  Stars ESPN RATING: 82/100
Grade: 247 Sports 4  Stars 247 Sports 91 Stars 247 RATING: 91/100
Grade: 4 Stars 4 Stars RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
Player Comparison* (Similarity level)
Brenden Rice - USC
92%
Pat Bryant - Illinois
90%
Tre Harris - Ole Miss
89%
Draft Profile: Bio
The son of former Kentucky linebacker Donte' Key and brother to NFL linebacker Devon Key, Dane Key arrived in Lexington carrying family football DNA and four-star expectations from recruiting services. He put up three productive seasons, building a foundation in the SEC before following his position coach to Lincoln for one final collegiate campaign. Key's Kentucky tenure showcased a player who understood his role and maximized every opportunity, transforming from a record-setting freshman into the Wildcats' most reliable aerial weapon.

Key's freshman season announcement came early and emphatically, as he became the first true freshman receiver to start Kentucky's opener since 2003. Those early flashes weren't fool's gold - he proceeded to catch touchdowns in his first three collegiate games and finished with a school freshman record six scoring grabs. The consistency continued through his sophomore and junior campaigns, where he accumulated 42 and 47 receptions, respectively, while leading Kentucky in receiving yards during his final season. His 126 career catches place him fifth on Kentucky's all-time list, with 1,870 receiving yards ranking 13th in program history.

The transfer to Nebraska reunites Key with receivers coach Daikiel Shorts Jr. and pairs him with highly-regarded quarterback Dylan Raiola. Key's decision factors centered around Raiola's arm talent and the opportunity to serve as a veteran presence in a retooled Huskers receiving corps. After three seasons proving himself against SEC competition, Key enters his final college season positioned to showcase his skills on a bigger stage while chasing NFL aspirations that run deep in his family bloodline.
Scouting Report: Strengths
  • Commands respect with crisp route stems that consistently set up defensive backs for misdirection and creates clean windows in coverage.
  • Attacks the football with aggressive hands and secures catches through contact, displaying the kind of reliability coordinators build game plans around.
  • Leverages his frame like a basketball player boxing out for rebounds, using positioning and timing to win contested situations consistently.
  • Processes coverage concepts quickly and finds the dead zones in defensive schemes, sitting down in soft spots with veteran instincts.
  • Demonstrates impressive focus under pressure, maintaining concentration when linebackers and safeties close fast in traffic situations.
  • Works effectively from multiple alignments and shows comfort operating from the slot or split wide, giving offensive coordinators flexibility.
  • Brings proven production against Power Five competition, having faced elite defensive backs throughout his SEC career without major drop-off.
  • Exhibits strong body control on back-shoulder throws and fade routes, adjusting his frame to give quarterbacks confidence in tight coverage.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
  • Operates with more craft than pure speed, lacking the burst to consistently threaten defensive backs deep or create explosive separation.
  • Struggles when physical corners jam him at the line, sometimes getting knocked off his timing and requiring multiple steps to recover.
  • Shows limited wiggle after securing catches, often going down on first contact rather than making defenders miss in space.
  • Could expand his route repertoire beyond the staples, as some of his deeper concepts lack the precision of his intermediate work.
  • May find himself outmatched by NFL corners who combine size with elite athleticism, particularly when forced into contested situations.
Scouting Report: Summary
The film reveals a receiver whose technical precision masks athletic limitations that could become pronounced at the next level. Key's excellence in intermediate concepts and consistent production at multiple route depths suggest he understands how to manufacture separation through timing and technique rather than raw speed. However, that same methodical approach that served him well in college may translate to a more limited role professionally, where defensive backs can match his athletic profile while bringing superior technique.

His strongest asset - route-running savvy paired with reliable hands - creates a foundation for contributing immediately in specific packages, particularly on possession downs where precision matters more than explosion. The concerning reality remains that his lack of dynamic traits after the catch and modest straight-line speed could restrict him to a complementary role, even if he executes that role at a high level. NFL offenses increasingly demand versatility from their skill position players, and Key's game appears more specialized than transformational.

The path forward requires finding the right system match while acknowledging both ceiling and floor. His demonstrated ability to perform against elite college competition suggests the football intelligence and competitive makeup translate upward, but the athletic profile indicates he'll need scheme help to maximize his contributions. Key represents the type of receiver who could surprise with his impact in year two or three once he fully grasps professional concepts, though early expectations should remain tempered by the reality that his skill set may prove more valuable in specific situations than as a featured weapon.
Written By:
Wyatt Brooks (SEC)

How other scouting services rate Dane Key (Overall Rank)

All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
249.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
35.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance. For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.

*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.