Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone, left, talks with Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, right, after the. Jacksonville Jaguars’ mandatory minicamp Tuesday June 10, 2025 at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Which Jaguars Rookie Surprisingly Stood Out in Week 12

Originally posted on Jacksonville Jaguars on SI
By John Shipley | Last updated Nov 25, 2025 4:43 PM ET

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars have seen rookies make big impacts throughout their 7-4 start, and the Week 12 27-24 overtime win against the Arizona Cardinals was no different.

This time, though, it wasn't the usual host of names like Travis Hunter or Bhayshul Tuten or surging undrafted defensive end Danny Striggow. This time, it was Day 3 safety and core special teamer Rayuan Lane.

Lane's Week

Lane played a large role iun the Jaguars' win over the Cardinals, playing 26 snaps (31%) for his most extensive usage on defense yet this season. He ended the game with a tackle and a pass breakup, and also ended the game on Pro Football Focus' Rookie Team of the Week.

"Given all the circumstances around the program, it’s very rare to see a player make the league out of Navy, let alone get drafted in the sixth round — but that’s what Rayuan Lane III was able to accomplish this offseason," PFF said.

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"He hasn’t seen a lot of playing time, but he featured on defense the most in his career in the Jaguars’ win over the Cardinals. Lane played a career-high 26 snaps, 23 of which in coverage — in which he recorded a 73.3 grade. Lane wasn’t targeted a single time and also broke up a pass."

Lane has consistently been a key piece of the Jaguars' special teams unit all season long, and seeing him get more defensive snaps down the stretch of the season can only mean good things for the development opf his rookie season.

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"Ray's been unbelievable. He's had an exceptional year. His ability to cover kicks, not only on the punt and kickoff group is spectacular. Whether he is facing a double team or a vice, his contact balance, his speed, his strength, his toughness," Jaguars special teams coordinator Heath Farwell said earlier this season.

"And then I think probably the best thing about him, he's an animal on Sundays, the guy we see in the meeting rooms, the guy we see out here, in the halls and on the practice field is not the same guy that we get out on the game. And he plays at a motor, a relentless effort and speed that you don't see a lot of players play with."

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How much more Lane is deployed on defense moving forward will be a fascinating storyline to monitor, but it certainly seems like this has been a smart pickup by Liam Coen and James Gladstone.

This article first appeared on Jacksonville Jaguars on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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