When the Washington Commanders traded for All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel this offseason, the organization felt they were acquiring one of the better second receiving options in the league.
Paired with All-Pro wideout Terry McLaurin, the Commanders have a passing offense that can be one of the best in the NFL.
So what exactly can a fourth-round rookie do to help that solid group?
Washington drafted Jaylin Lane out of Virginia Tech with the 128th overall pick in April's draft. Lane recorded 79 receptions for 1,004 yards and eight touchdowns in his two-year run with the Hokies.
Through rookie minicamp, though, Lane is turning heads in a major way. To the point that general manager Adam Peters was able to look back at the selection, and recognize how universal the support was for the Clover, South Carolina product.
“We went around the room, and he had by far the most votes of anybody,” Peters said on the Pat McAfee show. “You had buy-in from R&D, buy-in from the coaches, from the coordinators, from all our scouts. At that point, it was just a matter of, ‘Hopefully he falls to us.’”
A unanimous vote (almost) on a fourth-round guy? That is unusual.
If Lane can grow into a quality third receiving option for the Commanders, they should be able to take a massive jump with their offense in 2025.
And may even get franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels on an MVP track - not just an All-Pro - next season.
