Lance Newmark and the rookies talk to the media
The NFL draft is over and the Washington Commanders added five new players to the team. There were no trades and no EDGE rushers drafted which surprised some people. Assistant GM Lance Newmark said the team followed their board, and didn’t force any picks or positions throughout the three day process. There are still undrafted free agents, and veteran free agency which Newmark said can influence some Day 3 decisions. Washington is expected to look into defensive ends that are still available, but Newmark also said they were comfortable with the players they currently have on the roster.
Lance Newmark
LIVE: Assistant GM Lance Newmark speaks to the media after the #NFLDraft https://t.co/p0ciTvfd0A
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 26, 2025
Day 3 picks:
#Commanders Asst. GM Lance Newmark says Jaylin Lane has a nose for the first down marker.
On Kain Medrano – says he and DQ were at UCLA pro day and just a really good athlete.
On final pick – “JCM” was a great teammate, prepared hard despite not playing…tested well.
— Chris Russell AKA the ! (@Russellmania621) April 26, 2025
Jaylin Lane:
#Commanders Asst. GM Lance Newmark thanks ownership for the new draft room and says three days was a lot of comradery.
Says they were “really excited” about Jaylin Lane. Highest player on board at the pick. “Does a lot of great things”
— Chris Russell AKA the ! (@Russellmania621) April 26, 2025
Lance Newmark here for the Day 3 recap.
Says they had a vision for WR Jaylin Lane. Has a “unique instinct” with the ball in his hands on offense and in the return game. pic.twitter.com/ZY3PUrCKGT
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) April 26, 2025
Not drafting an EDGE defender:
#Commanders Asst. GM Lance Newmark on lack of EDGE – “I feel like we like what we have in that room”
“We like what we have there” and indicates the obvious that there are UFA’s available. Von Miller?
— Chris Russell AKA the ! (@Russellmania621) April 26, 2025
Veteran free agency after the draft:
Lance Newmark said signing veteran FAs is always top of mind and factors into how they attack Day 3 of the draft. Didn’t offer any specifics, but Washington didn’t land an edge defender in the draft. There are several guys on the street, including Za’Darius Smith and Von Miller.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) April 26, 2025
AGM Lance Newmark said the Commanders have had convos w/ vet FAs in recent days and that it informed their draft strategy.
I wouldn’t be surprised if that means DE.
Here are some names available: pic.twitter.com/ToQOBFfmBR
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) April 26, 2025
Vision for every player:
#Commanders Asst. GM Lance Newmark says “every player we bring in here, we sincerely have a vision for.”
“We’ll never be satisfied….Every day it’s “how can we get better?”
— Chris Russell AKA the ! (@Russellmania621) April 26, 2025
Adam Peters:
Just when #Commanders Asst. GM Lance Newmark thought he had wrapped up his post draft presser, Adam Peters from the “Daily Planet” had one more question while wearing a Newmark shirt.
“Can you talk about why the quarterbacks made you this shirt?” @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/eVCCoilwTr
— John Doran (@JohnDoranTV) April 27, 2025
Closer look at Adam Peters’ t-shirt, which apparently is courtesy of the quarterbacks. https://t.co/ffW9joHgeE pic.twitter.com/4ENgUiNwpv
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) April 27, 2025
Jaylin Lane
Dream come true:
Jaylin Lane addressing the media. Said he’s on Cloud 9 right now. It’s been a dream for him to make it to the NFL. Told himself it doesn’t matter what round he went as long as he got a chance
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) April 26, 2025
Punt returner:
Lane said he plays with confidence and get protect the ball as a returner. He feels like he’s gonna be a big help catching punts for the Commanders
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) April 26, 2025
Scoring touchdowns in the return game:
Jaylin Lane: “I feel I’ll be able to help score some touchdowns in the return game for the Commanders.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) April 26, 2025
Terry McLaurin:
Lane said Terry McLaurin is one of his favorite receivers
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) April 26, 2025
Bobby Engram:
Jaylin Lane said Commanders WR coach Bobby Engram talked with him after Virigina Tech’s pro day.
Said McLaurin is one of his favorite receivers. Needless to say, Jaylin is pumped to catch passes from Jayden Daniels.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) April 26, 2025
Jaylin Lane said Commanders WRs coach Bobby Engram met with him after his pro day. “He’s a South Carolina legend, man,” Lane said.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) April 26, 2025
Kain Medrano
Ken Norton Jr:
Kain Medrano addressing the media. Feels like he’s in the right place. Said he has a really good connection with LB coach Ken Norton Jr.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) April 26, 2025
Kain Medrano: “I had texted Coach Norton maybe like 10 minutes before, seven minutes before their pick actually came through …. I just told him to come get me. I’ve always kind of thought that that was where I was going to land. Then he called me …”
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) April 26, 2025
Learning from Bobby Wagner:
More on Norton: Medrano said he’s excited to learn from one of the best linebackers to ever play the game
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) April 26, 2025
Landing in Washington:
Medrano said he had a feeling Washington would be his landing spot.
Said his experience at LB after switching from WR led to his significant growth. Had 72 tackles and 11.5 TFL last season.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) April 26, 2025
Ready to work:
Medrano said he’s ready to work, put his head down and get to business
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) April 26, 2025
Special teams:
Late to the party but at No. 205 overall – the #Commanders took LB Kain Medrano from UCLA
Was with Ken Norton there & of course will be here.
“Special teams is my thing” and says he wants to help the team try and win a Super Bowl.
— Chris Russell AKA the ! (@Russellmania621) April 26, 2025
Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Running with anger:
Jacory Croskey-Merritt said his goal is to make the defender “not want to tackle you.” Said he wants to go out and “run with anger.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) April 26, 2025