With the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Washington Commanders selected LSU Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels. The dynamic playmaker will bring a sense of excitement to our Nation’s Capital that this fan-base has not seen since Robert Griffin III was selected 2nd overall in 2012.
So what are we getting with Daniels?
What is Washington getting with Jayden Daniels?
First, let’s talk about Jayden’s unique skill set. He will enter the NFL and should immediately be the fastest quarterback in the league. He can surely scoot, and although we don’t necessarily want to see him tucking and running like we saw him do during his last two seasons at LSU, make no mistake – defenses are going to have to account for his legs on every play.
Jayden Daniels says he’ll try to pass Michael Vick, Lamar Jackson as best running QB ever. https://t.co/ymDHjnQdUd
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 24, 2024
If defenses turn their back on this guy – watch out!
Jayden Daniels 85 yard TD run vs Florida. anyone else reminded of another long TD run? pic.twitter.com/HCmjRG1ASD
— obvlon (@obvlon) March 17, 2024
However, Daniels is not just a runner who can throw. He can be deadly accurate to all areas of the field and also hang in the pocket and make the tough throw.
Jayden Daniels throwing a touchdown pass to Brandon Aiyuk in two thousand and nineteen pic.twitter.com/FRFTGBpaHH
— RunYourPool (@RunYourPool_) April 26, 2024
This is a laser across the middle and it give his receiver room to run after the catch pic.twitter.com/G4RztH3Vbe
— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) February 3, 2024
What I love about Daniels is he, like many of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, can successfully make off-platform throws.
Does an excellent job here getting outside the pocked and keeping his eyes downfield (something I’ve seen him struggle to do). Ball is dropped, but pass and improv are impressive! pic.twitter.com/hTh3687TGI
— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) February 3, 2024
Finally, Jayden is a quiet, cerebral leader who is more of a lead-by-example guy. He was talked about by his former coaches as the first one in the building in the morning, and last one to leave the facility in the evening.
It was remarkable to read about how he worked over the 2023 offseason, using virtual reality and other analytics, to really take his game to another level.
His desire to win and be the best are what truly stands out with him.
How Will Daniels be used in Washington as a Rookie?
I feel Kliff Kingsbury will tailor his offense around what Jaylen does well. I expect to see a more simplified offense early on as he learns the nuances of the NFL game and gets comfortable with his playmakers and protection up front.
Some high-to-low reads and rhythm/read throws should be prevalent early on as he learns what defenses are trying to do against him. I also expect Kingsbury to use motion to dictate what coverages defenses are playing and allow Jayden to simply pick the best matchup he sees and let it rip.
There will certainly be some designed runs as well. You don’t draft the most dynamic quarterback in the draft and NOT allow him to use his unique skills as a runner. He didn’t do a ton of RPOs at LSU, but I can see that being a staple of the new offense to help him adjust. Hopefully, Jayden can learn to protect his body when he tucks it to run better than he did at LSU.
Player Comp:
Lamar Jackson
Although he’s not as shifty as Lamar, the ability to pull the ball down and take off for huge chunks of yards are very similar. Jayden is a more accomplished passer with better mechanics than Jackson when he came out of Louisville, but the stress each can put on a defense is eerily similar.
I like this pick a lot.
When I first started my quarterback evaluations back in December, I had Daniels below Drake Maye. Some of my early concerns were his size (he played his final season below 205 pounds), his propensity to put his body out there and take some viscous hits, and arm-strength. As I went back and dissected his film even more, he began to grow on me – although I still had him behind Maye in January. Reading about his interviews with teams and watching his Pro Day (he came in at 210 pounds and showed really good arm strength) helped pull him even with Drake over these final two months.
What really sold me on him was when I began to read more about how he dedicated his body and mind during the 2023 offseason to really improve his game. That hard work he put in was something I just couldn’t ignore.
I understand he had the best receiving corps in the country and a collectively great offensive line, but we can’t dismiss the improvement he made in the last two seasons – and much of that was on him as a player.
I am very excited for what he can bring to this team and hope we have found our new face-of-the-franchise for the next decade-plus.