It's still a waiting game for the Washington Commanders as the NFL world watches with anticipation to see how the messy Brandon Aiyuk situation in San Francisco will unfold. But the expectation is that the 2023 second-team All-Pro will be released by the 49ers, and shortly afterward, sign in the nation's capital.
Aiyuk wants to be a Commander and has openly stated as such. The team appears to be interested in reuniting him with quarterback Jayden Daniels, and it is worth noting that general manager Adam Peters was part of the front office that drafted him in 2020.
Aiyuk's addition in Washington, should it go according to plan, will create uncertainty for a wide receiver corps that has already begun building chemistry this summer. And not everybody will benefit.
Jaylin Lane could be the odd man out after Brandon Aiyuk's expected Commanders addition
The Commanders don't have a true WR2 as it stands. They have also been waiting all spring and summer for Aiyuk to become available. Currently, behind star Terry McLaurin, their wideouts are Antonio Williams, Treylon Burks, Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, Van Jefferson, and Dyami Brown.
Williams is a piece Washington has long-term hopes for as a third-round rookie. Burks is a first-rounder who could break out in a better situation than the husk of a Tennessee Titans offense he spent his first few seasons in. McCaffrey made positive strides last year before his season was ended by a broken collarbone.
All three of them will have roles in the offense, with or without Aiyuk. But it's the latter three who could be in trouble. Jefferson and Brown are considered low-expectation veteran fliers, and no one will bat an eye if they end up being preseason cuts.
That leaves Lane, who has been considered a developmental project. As a fourth-round rookie, the Virginia Tech product caught 16 passes for 225 receiving yards but struggled with drops and fumbles. He was impressive on the punt return team, scoring twice and averaging 13.7 yards per return, but thus far, he has not grown beyond the special teams specialist role.
Year 2 is where a player like Lane should be taking that next step, but he might not have that opportunity if Aiyuk is around. He will likely be, at best, the sixth man on the wide receiver depth chart. It's hard to see where he'll be finding offensive snaps in a fully healthy lineup.
Lane already has his work cut out for him, and it will only get harder if and when Aiyuk becomes a Commander. We'll see if he can beat the odds.
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