Jaylin Lane - Commanders WR
Jaylin Lane has made a positive impact so far. There is an enormous sense of intrigue around the wide receiver, who most thought was another steal for the Washington Commanders at No. 128 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.
As previously mentioned, establishing roles in the wide receiver room is a tough task. Lane is striving to help in any way he can. Whether that's as a key part of the offensive rotation or as Washington's explosive kick returner remains to be seen, but hopes are high regardless.
Lane wasted no time in making his presence felt over early workouts. He was a highlight reel waiting to happen throughout OTAs according to those in attendance, displaying his customary speed and dynamism that the Commanders became enamored with during their pre-draft assessments.
If the former Virginia Tech standout can keep this up over Washington's mandatory minicamp and beyond, it would be a big shock if Kliff Kingsbury didn't get him heavily involved right out of the gate.
Javontae Jean-Baptiste - Commanders DE
Much has been made about the Commanders' edge-rushing options (or lack thereof) this offseason. Fans wanted to see Adam Peters do more to rectify this potentially grave issue. The general manager seems confident in the options available, but it's a precarious situation that could go either way.
Everyone currently on the books will get a shot at establishing themselves before Peters decides on further action. It would be a shock if another capable performer didn't arrive at some stage, but the Commanders are hoping someone comes to the fore instead.
That brings Javontae Jean-Baptiste under the microscope. The former seventh-round pick flashed promise when called upon as a rookie. It wasn't jaw-dropping by any stretch of the imagination, but there was enough to suggest improvements could arrive.
Tempering expectations would be wise. At the same time, Jean-Baptiste might be able to force the coaching staff into giving him a more influential role if he shows enough in the coming weeks.
Jeremy Reaves - Commanders S
The Commanders have some concerns about their safety room entering 2025. Adam Peters' decision to let Jeremy Chinn walk in favor of the Las Vegas Raiders was a calculated risk that could backfire if nobody proves capable of filling the void. But there is growing confidence in the building that a once-overlooked defensive back can begin to thrive in the rotation.
Joe Whitt Jr. recently acknowledged that he needs to find ways to get Jeremy Reaves on the field. The defensive coordinator wants to maximize his playmaking ability, which is a notable step in the right direction for someone who's been seen as a special-teams ace and nothing more throughout his career.
Reaves is an inspirational leader and an All-Pro special-teams presence. He can make things happen when called upon, but the production is sometimes sketchy. Harnessing his athletic intangibles effectively is the next challenge, which makes him a player worth watching at Washington's mandatory minicamp and beyond.
Opportunity knocks for Reaves. Capitalizing on it is crucial.