Even though the Washington Commanders already had a great offense, they added a dynamic player in Jaylin Lane during the draft.
The fourth-rounder out of Virginia Tech is known for his speed and athleticism to create separation against defenders. If Kliff Kingsbury can use Lane properly, he could make an immediate impact for Washington.
Lane put the world on notice at the NFL Combine, where he tested incredibly well among all wide receivers:
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.34 seconds (T-3rd)
- 10-Yard Split: 1.5 seconds (3rd)
- Vertical Jump: 40’’ (3rd)
- Broad Jump: 11’0” (3rd)
- 3-Cone Drill: 6.75 seconds (2nd)
- 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.12 seconds (3rd)
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1895974741892055534
Speedy Lane Fits Kingsbury’s Scheme
Standing at 5-foot-10 and 196 pounds, Lane’s build will likely put him in the slot in Kingsbury’s offense, a role he is familiar with during his time at Virginia Tech.
The Hokies’ passing game was very limited and leaned on quick hitters like wide receiver screens, jet sweeps and end-arounds. Lane’s speed made him the focal point of that attack, often being put in motion to make optimal use of his game-changing speed.
https://twitter.com/HokiesFB/status/1852748994130145353
Make no mistake, Lane can take the top off the defense. When Virginia Tech decided to air it out to Lane, his speed was too much for opposing teams. In the final regular season game against Virginia, Lane burned the entire Cavaliers’ defense for a 66-yard touchdown.
https://twitter.com/HokiesFB/status/1863045109782134855
Lane Could Shine on Special Teams
If Lane can’t find consistent snaps on offense, he will likely contend for the punt returner job. Jamison Crowder, who did the majority of the punt returning duties last season, has not re-signed with Washington yet. With that vacancy, Lane could slide in as the Commanders’ punt returner, something he did well at Virginia Tech.
PFF ranks Lane as the third-best punt returner in this year’s draft class. In 2024, Lane returned 24 punts for 235 yards (9.8 yards average). His punt returning is highlighted by one of the most impressive touchdowns of 2024 against Marshall, where he escaped a sea of defenders and took it to the house.
https://twitter.com/HokiesFB/status/1832530837868343556
It’s always uncertain whether a fourth-round pick will become a regular contributor, but Lane brings the speed, versatility, and return ability to make an impact. With a creative play-caller like Kingsbury, his potential is worth watching.
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