The Washington Commanders used the 2025 NFL draft to largely plan for the future. They only had five picks, and GM Adam Peters used them strategically. For example, selecting wide receiver Jaylin Lane out of Virginia Tech in the fourth round helps the Commanders’ future wide receiving corps.
Known for his speed, Lane isn’t just a deep threat. Instead, he will spend his rookie season learning the ins and outs of Deebo Samuel’s style of play. He’s reliable and consistent, which is why CBS Sports says he could earn a key role with the Commanders in 2025.
Drafted: Round 4 (No. 128 overall)Impressive stat to know: Forced a missed tackle on 26.6% of his career receptions in collegeLane is the ideal possession slot receiver the Commanders needed on this new-look offense, and while he’s not the tackle-breaker Deebo Samuel is, he can provide more of a downfield threat given his 4.34 speed and 40-inch vertical. He only dropped 12 passes on 294 targets at Middle Tennessee State and Virginia Tech. Lane has the advanced skill and Day 1 athleticism to sneak into a useful, tertiary role in Jayden Daniels’ offense as a rookie.
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Lane could potentially earn a key role with the Commanders in 2025, but it’s more likely to be as a return specialist than a receiver. Not that he won’t be on the field as a receiver and get used, but his return skills are superb. He averages close to 11 yards per return on both kicks and punts. Over his collegiate career, he returned 39 kicks for 852 yards and 67 punts for 733 yards and two touchdowns.
As a receiver, Lane recorded over 200 receptions for 2,532 yards and 18 touchdowns.
He will very likely have a key role as a receiver in the NFL, and he may even be called upon for the Commanders in 2025. However, the role that seems more fitting for him, and more fitting for what the team needs, is as a return man who can give the offense a decent field position to start their next drive.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders’ Jaylin Lane could earn critical role in 2025