Chiefs scouting report: Virginia Tech Hokies WR Jaylin Lane
The Kansas City Chiefs struggled to field a competitive wide receiver room last season. General manager Brett Veach has the opportunity to inject new talent into the offense this offseason. The 2025 NFL draft lacks standout wide receiver prospects, but a few sneaky options offer nice value.
Virginia Tech Hokies wide receiver Jaylin Lane is an explosive athlete with elite special teams upside. He amassed more than 1,500 combined kick and punt return yards across his five-year college career. Lane primarily lined up out wide while at Middle Tennessee State but played in the slot once he transferred to Virginia Tech in 2023.
Lane bursts off the line and uses his 4.34 40-yard dash speed to stack cornerbacks in man coverage. He overtakes off-man coverage quickly and also separates from defenders on crossing routes. Many of his best downfield targets came against two-high shells that exposed the deep middle of the field.
Lane's quick footwork and loose frame help him suddenly decelerate and make sharp cuts at the top of the stem. He flashes the agility and body control to run whip routes and other complex patterns. Lane generates natural separation by breaking down and shaking the cornerback at the top of the stem or simply blowing past his opponent.
Lane's true value shows up after the catch. His speed and rare acceleration erase pursuit angles and create chunk plays on schemed touches. Lane is shifty and speedy and uses his experience as a return man to maximize his blockers in space. He combines sidesteps, spins and other jukes to make defenders miss.
Jaylin Lane with a crazy tight rope.A 96th percentile athlete at the Combine. pic.twitter.com/LQDQdMchCs
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) March 2, 2025
Lane carries good weight for a 5'9 3/4'' slot receiver, but his play strength creates some limitations against press coverage. He needs to expand his release package and refine his underdeveloped route tree. Lane relied on a heavy diet of schemed touches at Virginia Tech and needs to transition into a more typical slot role at the NFL level.
The Chiefs possess enough draft capital to move up and down the board. Having two third round picks makes them flexible if they want to trade pick 95 for several selections on Day 3. That provides a path for the team to pick Lane in the fourth round while securing additional assets.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: 2025 NFL draft scouting report: Virginia Tech Hokies WR Jaylin Lane
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