It doesn't seem like the Washington Commanders are going to give in to Brandon Aiyuk's demands to join the club anytime soon, and there's a chance the wide receiver group they have now is what they'll have in September.
That means there will be an opportunity for one young draft pick to show what he's made of.
Jaylin Lane was selected in the fourth round out of Virginia Tech last spring, and immediately burst onto the scene as a high-level punt returner with two special teams touchdowns. But he didn't get very involved as a receiver, even when Washington's wideout corps was decimated by injuries.
Lane caught only 16 passes for 225 receiving yards during his first campaign in Washington, with no scores. In Year 2, he's going to need to build on that, while more importantly cutting the drops and fumbles out of his diet.
Jaylin Lane has promise, but needs to show he can impact Commanders' receiving game
As it stands, the Commanders' depth chart behind two-time Pro Bowler Terry McLaurin is wide open for somebody to emerge as the No. 2 option. Most will look to Antonio Williams, this year's third-round draft pick, but it could just as easily be Treylon Burks, Luke McCaffrey, or Lane.
The South Carolina native is a speedster and deep-ball threat who can add a new dimension to Washington's offense. The only problem is that Lane has a hard time catching and holding onto the football. He fumbled three times last year and also recorded three drops as a rookie.
Ideally, ball security will be a focal point for Lane as he enters his second season, his first in David Blough's offense. He has the talent to be a key piece for Washington, but it's all about learning the easy things.
Lane doesn't have to be a superstar for the Commanders to feel good about him. No one is expecting that out of a fourth-round pick. But it will be disappointing if he doesn't at least emerge into a reliable part of the offense who can make a few key plays a week.
This is the opportunity for Lane to show what he's made of. He must capitalize on it.
The Commanders have been forced to bank on growth from within, and it has provided one of their youngsters a chance he may not have had with Aiyuk or another veteran in the building. Lane can't afford to waste it.
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