Washington Commanders Jaylin Lane stresses that he wants to “dominate his role” during his rookie season. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
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Jaylin Lane may not be the biggest name on the Washington Commanders, but he’ll figure to play a key role in the team’s success this season.
The 23-year-old rookie was selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft after one of the best performances by a receiver at the NFL Combine. The Virginia Tech product ranked fourth in the 40-yard dash and third in the vertical and broad jumps.
The third-team All-ACC selection will serve as the Commanders’ punt returner after playing a similar role with the Virginia Tech Hokies. During his collegiate career, the speedy 5-foot-10 receiver returned two punts for touchdowns and led the ACC in punts returned and punt return yards. He also ranked fourth in punt yards per return in the ACC last season.
He also figures to be a viable secondary receiver for the Commanders behind star wideouts Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel, seeing first-team reps during training camp.
Lane says the biggest adjustment to NFL life has been the routine, where he says there’s more time on your hands. The young receiver says he likes to occupy his time by playing video games and going to the movies, naming NBA 2K and Madden as some of his favorite games to play.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a big difference in the style of offense, because the offense is high tempo – I’ve run that my whole career,” says Lane in a one-on-one interview. “I wasn’t really expecting that coming into the league this high tempo offense. But I would say just adjusting to life in the league.
“This my first football season, I haven’t had to deal with school or anything,” Lane continues to say. “I feel like it takes up a lot of my time, but I also have a lot of free time where I don’t have to do any classwork right now. So I feel like just kind of adjusting to the NFL life.”
Jaylin Lane On Rookie Season Objectives: ‘Dominate My Role’
Lane is best known for his speed, showing off that key trait at not only the Combine, but also during his college career. The hope is that he’ll bring that same dynamic ability in his rookie season after already earning the punt returner job.
Lane picked Grady Sports Agency to represent him to start out his NFL career, a relationship that began with GSA founder Joshua Grady back in 2019 and 2020 when he was just entering college. Grady Sports Agency represents some notable NFL players including Los Angeles Rams standout and Defensive Rookie of the Year runner-up Braden Fiske.
While Lane isn’t going to set his goals as exactly that, he does mention he wants to make plays when possible and “dominate” his role when asked what his objectives are for the season opener against the New York Giants.
“I’m just just trying to make the plays that come to me,” says Lane. “I don’t have any statistical goals I want to hit. One thing I live by – I think my dad said it – they say, here the ball finds energy. I’m just going to be excited. I’m happy to be there, and I’m gonna be focused and just ready to make a play whenever I can with or without the ball in my hand. That’s kind of my goal for Sunday. The whole season is to dominate my role and just put us in the best situation to win.”
Jaylin Lane Says He’s Nervous Before Every Game, But The Nerves Go Away Quickly
The 23-year-old says he’ll be nervous before his NFL debut, but those nerves always go away once the game starts.
“I get nervous before every single game, even in the preseason, I got a little nervous,” says Lane. “But after that first play from on the field, the jitters kind of go away and then you’re just ready to ball. You’re ready to go out there and put on for the team, for my family.”
Lane stresses wanting to improve being “clean” in and out of his routes as the biggest thing he wants to improve upon as he begins his NFL career.
“One thing I did focus on is being clean and in and out of my routes,” says Lane. “I’ve definitely made that a point to Coach (Bobby) Engram, and just the staff, and he’s incorporated a lot of drills during practices. We have a period called EPP where we just kind of focus on the things we individually need to work on, and just helping me with that. I feel like that’s an area where I’ve grown, for sure since camp started, but I wanted to just continue to grow in that realm.”
To re-iterate his previous point, Lane says his objective is to help the Commanders win as they look to win their first Super Bowl since 1991. The Commanders surprisingly advanced to the NFC Championship Game last season and will look to finish the job this year.
“My main goal really just helped the team win,” says Lane. “Whether that’s scoring touchdowns on point, return, receiver, or blocking. Whatever it is, I just want to do whatever I can to help the team win and just dominate my role. That’s what I got in my notes, got on my mirror. Just dominate your role.”