Click HERE to purchase your tickets to the Commanders' 2025 season
Jaylin Lane had support from the entire Washington Commanders' staff when he was selected with their fourth-round pick, and he's ready to prove them right.
"I'm just here to dominate my role," Lane said after the May 10 rookie minicamp practice.
There is no clear answer on the full scope of Lane's role, but special teams are expected to be a big part of it. That was one of his biggest contributions in college, both at MTSU and Virginia Tech, as the former three-star high school recruit recorded a combined 4,381 yards returning punts and kicks.
The Commanders value competition, so Lane is not going to be handed anything. With that said, getting a job on special teams has already been a topic of discussion between him and his coaches.
"That's gonna be part of my game," Lane said. "Being a rookie coming in, I gotta play special teams regardless. So, I'm excited for that."
"I feel like I can make any play"
Assuming he does win the job as at least the starting punt returner, it would end the Commanders' long search for a long-term answer at the position. They have had 18 players return at least one punt over the last 10 seasons, with the most consistent option being Jamison Crowder in two separate stints with the team. The rest of the list includes the likes of Trey Quinn, Greg Stroman and Danny Johnson, all of whom had short careers for the Burgundy & Gold.
Lane still has OTAs, mandatory minicamp and training camp to prove he can earn that role, but he at least has the skill set to do it. He averaged 10.9 yards per punt return and 21.8 yards per kickoff return -- the former would have led the Commanders' roster in 2024 -- and led his conference in punt return yardage twice in five years.
The Commanders still have Austin Ekeler, who averaged 31.3 yards per kickoff return and ranked third in total yardage, on their roster for at least another season. Assuming he keeps that role, that leaves Lane to compete for the punt return job. That suits Lane just fine, because that's where he excelled the most in 2024. He had 24 returns with 245 yards, both of which led the ACC, and scored a touchdown against Marshall in Week 1.
"Just being back there, I feel like I can make any play, any catch and ultimately, take it to the crib," Lane said after he was drafted. "That's what you want to do as a returner."
"Speed is one of my assets"
The hope is that Lane can supply enough game-changing returns to make the job a little easier on Washington's offense, which ran the highest number of plays per game last season. Lane helped do that at Virginia Tech, and it was a credit to his athleticism, which ranked among the best at the combine in February. His speed is what garnered the most attention, though, as his 4.34 40-yard dash ranked third among receivers.
"Speed is one of my assets," Lane said. "I plan on using it every chance I get."
It's been a while since someone scored on a punt return for the Burgundy & Gold. The last person to do it was Jamison Crowder back in 2016, when he returned a punt 85 yards against the Baltimore Ravens in a 16-10 win. Lane intends to end that drought and then some during his next four seasons with Washington.
"I'm just very confident," Lane said. "And I feel like I'm gonna be able to help score some touchdowns for the Commanders."
