The 2024 NFL season has been a complete 180-degree turn for the Washington Commanders. In 2023, the Commanders won a whole four games. In 2024, they’ve now won 13 after their Wild Card win last Sunday. A huge reason for the Commanders’ success rests on the shoulders of a couple of rookies: Jayden Daniels and Mike Sainristil.
They weren’t the only impactful rookies this season, but they made enough of a stir to land themselves on ESPN’s All-Rookie team. Daniels as the first-team quarterback and Sainristil as a second-team cornerback.
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
2024 stats: 3,568 passing yards, 25 TDs, 9 INTs; 891 rushing yards, 6 TDs
Drafted: Round 1, No. 2As I wrote in December, Drake Maye was the most impressive rookie quarterback given what he did in such a bad situation. But that’s just by a hair over Daniels, who also has excellent film and dramatically outproduced Maye, so I’ll happily give him the first-team nod.
Daniels was an immediate force multiplier for every player on the Washington offense. He was impossibly clutch and cool-headed for a rookie and showed more maturity in avoiding hits and working through progressions than I expected. Daniels has been absolute nails on fourth downs this season, saving a Commanders offense that doesn’t create a ton of explosives by keeping the sticks moving in key spots. He has a 92% conversion rate on fourth-down drop backs in a league that averages 53%. Daniels has an MVP ceiling — if he can stay healthy over the course of his career. I’d love to see him put on another 10 pounds this offseason.
He wasn’t a top passer in the NFL this year, but his ability to use his legs propelled the Commanders to a win on many occasions, and his 69% completion rating ranks first among rookies.
Regarding Sainristil, he was named to the second team.
Second team: Mike Sainristil, Washington Commanders (No, he didn’t play over the slot this season, but he needs to be mentioned on this list because he played very well.)
He definitely played well this season, recording 93 tackles (62 solo), one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two interceptions, 14 passes defensed and 2.5 stuffs. He was the fourth-leading tackler and led in both interceptions and passes defensed this season.
Congrats to both players, definitely well deserved.