The word on Jaylin Lane since the Washington Commanders drafted him in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft was he was capable of moments like this — he was capable of being a game changer.
The world got to see that come to life with Lane’s first career touchdown with an electic, 90-yard punt return in a 41-24 home win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3.
Lane’s touchdown came in the first game after the Commanders lost veteran running back and NFL All-Pro return specialist Austin Ekeler for the season after he tore his Achilles tendon in a Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
The touchdown gave the Commanders a 27-10 lead with 9:35 remaining in the third quarter — Washington’s first score of the second half. It was the longest touchdown play of the year, according to the NFL’s official X account.
Lane Projected As ‘Breakout Star’
Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine labeled Lane the “Breakout Candidate” for the Commanders this summer.
“The Commanders brought in Deebo Samuel Sr., but there’s still room for another receiver to emerge as part of the offense this summer,” Ballentine wrote on June 2. “Noah Brown is a fairly niche receiver as the third option behind Terry McLaurin and Samuel. That’s where third-round pick Jaylin Lane could wind up setting himself up for a successful rookie season. Lane is a burner who should at least capture the role of return man throughout preseason activities. But he also has the potential to become a part of the offense.”
Lane, who signed a 4-year, $5.1 million rookie contract, told The Athletic’s Ben Standig he’s ready to “dominate my role” on special teams after making his debut at rookie minicamp.
“Lane’s 4.34 40-yard speed made the Virginia Tech receiver a coveted target for teams in the middle rounds,” Standig wrote on May 11. ” … Finding ways to get Lane the ball beyond traditional route running feels like an early goal. That includes returning punts and kicks, which might be how he will contribute primarily as a rookie, along with gunner reps on special teams.”
Commanders Criticized For Drafting Lane
Bleacher Report’s Damian Parson put the Commanders on his list of teams who likely wanted a “Do Over” after the draft, with some of that criticism focused on Lane.
“The board broke their way later in the draft, but they chose the wrong wideout prospect in Round 4,” Parson wrote on May 9. “The Commanders selected Jaylin Lane, who was the 27th-ranked wide receiver and No. 214 overall prospect on the B/R NFL Scouting Department’s final big board. Five picks later, the Kansas City Chiefs took Jalen Royals, the sixth-ranked wideout and No. 49 overall prospect on the B/R big board.”
Big Numbers at 2 Different College Stops
In 5 seasons at Middle Tennessee State and Virginia Tech, Lane had 4,381 all purpose yards and 23 total touchdowns and scored in a multitude of ways — receiving, rushing and returns. He was also 2 inches taller and 20 pounds heavier than he’d been listed throughout his college career when he checked in at 5-foot-10 and 191 pounds at the combine.
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