When Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters revealed he was taking Virginia Tech wide receiver Jaylin Lane with their fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, he called him the top punt returner in the draft and a “really, really good slot receiver.”
In the latest edition of the “Commanders Log,” Peters revealed that Lane was this year’s “Commanders Caucus” pick. Last season, it was fifth-round pick Jordan Magee. The “Commanders Caucus” is a pick for the scouts on Day 3.
Lane was truly an organizational pick. Peters and his scouting staff were excited, so was head coach Dan Quinn, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, wide receivers coach Bobby Engram and special teams coach Larry Izzo.
That role on special teams is something that Lane embraces.
“That’s gonna be part of my game,” Lane said via Zach Selby of commanders.com. “Being a rookie coming in, I gotta play special teams regardless. So, I’m excited for that.”
Lane played three seasons at Middle Tennessee State and his final two years at Virginia Tech. He averaged 11 yards per punt return for his career and returned for two touchdowns. The Commanders have been looking for stability at punt returner for years, with Jamison Crowder and Olamide Zaccheaus filling the void most recently.
Lane figures to have a prominent role early in his NFL career. He will need to win the punt returner role in training camp, but he should be the top contender.
