Jayden Daniels gets another dynamic playmaker that makes Commanders' passing attack elite on Day 3 of the draft
The Washington Commanders have wrapped up Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft by adding more players to help on both sides of the ball. The highlight of the day, however, has to be the selection of wide receiver Jaylin Lane in Round 4.That's because this kid is as dynamic as they come. He gives […]
The Washington Commanders have wrapped up Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft by adding more players to help on both sides of the ball. The highlight of the day, however, has to be the selection of wide receiver Jaylin Lane in Round 4.
That's because this kid is as dynamic as they come. He gives the Commanders offense an element it didn't have before the draft, which is a home-run ability from any level of the field. Terry McLaurin's danger zone is the deep ball, Deebo Samuel dominates in the short-to-intermediate game. Lane, on the other hand, can use his elite speed and shiftiness to take it all the way no matter where he is.
So, with that being said, I'll stop teasing. Let's dive into the final three picks of the Commanders' 2025 draft class.
Round 4, No. 128 overall: Jaylin Lane, WR, Virginia Tech Hokies
The Commanders have one of the NFL's best wideouts in Terry McLaurin and they added one of the league's most unique playmakers in Deebo Samuel, but the offense still needed a dynamic receiver who can take it to the house at any moment.
That's exactly what Layne can do. He clocked in at a blazing 4.34 seconds during the 40-yard dash, but he's not just a burner or a deep threat – he can work all three levels of the field effectively. In fact, per Dane Brugler's The Beast, Lane only recorded two catches on throws of 20+ air yards in 2024. That doesn't mean he can't be used on a nine route or anything, though.
Regardless, Layne best fits in at slot receiver, but Kliff Kingsbury will be able to use him in all sorts of ways. Especially in the screen game. He's also the Commanders' top punt returner on the board, so he's already got a plan carved out for him. Lane is a sneaky Day 3 pick that could have a big role in 2025.
Round 6, No. 205 overall: Kain Medrano, LB, UCLA Bruins
Medrano was projected by many as a fourth-rounder, so it looks like the Commanders got some really good value with this pick.
The 24-year-old did it all in his six years with the Bruins, logging 196 total tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, 13 pass deflections and three interceptions. He plays fast and has the athleticism and speed to match up with tight ends and running backs in coverage, but he misses a ton of tackles and he didn't really have an above-average season until Year 6 in Los Angeles.
Medrano was very good on special teams and that'll be his starting point with the Commanders since Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu, Jordan Magee, and Dominique Hampton are in the mix. He's easily a developmental guy that provides immediate special teams value and potential rotational value down the road.
Round 7, No. 245 overall: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Arizona Wildcats
This seemed inevitable, as the Commanders showed a ton of interest in Croskey-Merritt throughout the entire pre-draft process.
It'll be interesting to see how he makes himself factor into the picture at running back, as the Commanders have the same four running backs from last year's roster. They extended two of them in Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez, exemplifying both players' value to the team.
Either way, Croskey-Merritt is a one-cut slasher who is lethal when he's on his game. He can eat up yards in the blink of an eye and can be a nice change of pace when the Commanders decide to run their zone game.
