How is Jayden Daniels taking part in at such a excessive stage?
The story of the 2023 NFL Draft was the Houston Texans hanging gold with C.J. Stroud, the second quarterback chosen (after Bryce Young) at No. 2 total. Is historical past repeating itself in 2024? Like I mentioned above, it would be grossly untimely to return to any form of conclusion on this entrance, however clearly, the Commanders are thrilled with the early returns. Daniels is taking part in like a 10-year vet, exhibiting the poise, confidence and composure to thrive as a franchise quarterback with a novel recreation.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder leads the league with an absurd 80.3 p.c completion charge and ranks fifth in passer ranking (111.8), guiding an offense that options numerous quick-rhythm throws designed to swiftly get the ball into the palms of Washington's playmakers on the perimeter. Daniels has operated like a blackjack supplier, delivering pinpoint passes to perimeter cross catchers on numerous catch-and-run ideas created by Air Raid guru Kliff Kingsbury. The former Arizona Cardinals head man and skilled school coach has crafted a scheme that permits Daniels to play to his strengths as a rhythm passer whereas tapping into the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner's explosive operating capacity. As a consequence, Washington has now scored factors on 14 consecutive drives (excluding kneel-downs) and stays the one NFL staff with out a single turnover this season.
Daniels' excellent ball safety has immediately helped the Commanders grow to be a more durable out. Washington, which completed final season with the fourth-most turnovers (32), is not serving to opponents with additional possessions or brief fields, which makes an enormous distinction in a league the place most video games are determined by eight factors or fewer.
In addition, the rookie's distinctive effectivity as a passer and spectacular total playmaking expertise have added a dimension to an offense that lacked pizzazz earlier than his arrival. The Commanders can torch opponents with a barrage of rhythm passes from Daniels directed to all areas of the sector at brief, intermediate and deep vary, or unleash their first-year quarterback on designed runs and scrambles that drive opposing play-callers to tweak their recreation plans to account for an additional runner within the backfield. Here's a great nugget from the Washington Post: With 15 dashing first downs by three video games, Daniels tied Cam Newton (2015 and 2020) for the second-most dashing first downs by a quarterback by three video games. (Daunte Culpepper's the all-time chief, with 16 in 2000.) Considering how a cellular quarterback can improve a floor assault, it is not a shock the Commanders rank fifth in dashing yards per recreation (153.7).
With Washington's capacity to lean on the dashing assault to regulate the sport, Daniels has stored the offense on schedule, permitting him to function in assault mode. As a lethal, correct passer with distinctive arm expertise, he has taken benefit of favorable appears to be like and high-percentage throws that punish opponents for overaggressive techniques or tender protection.
In this previous Monday evening's 38-33 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, specifically, Daniels torched the protection on blitzes that uncovered the secondary to one-on-one protection in opposition to Terry McLaurin. The 23-year-old repeatedly cashed in with pinpoint throws that resulted in a landing or first down. With Daniels unfazed by heavy stress from opponents trying to drive him right into a mistake, the Commanders have been capable of take full benefit of those alternatives.
In a league the place factors are coveted at a premium, Daniels' expertise and temperament have helped Washington discipline a potent offense by attacking stress with well timed throws and runs. Perhaps his in depth expertise as a collegian (55 profession begins) prepped him for his function, due to the numerous apply and recreation reps at Arizona State and LSU. Despite shifting up a stage, he seems to see the sport in sluggish movement.
Moreover, the expertise and emotional maturity Jayden has displayed as a rookie has helped him rapidly get on the identical web page with a veteran crew of playmakers (guys like McLaurin, Zach Ertz and Austin Ekeler) who possess the excessive soccer IQ to bail out the younger quarterback when mandatory.
In addition to Kingsbury, head coach Dan Quinn and basic supervisor Adam Peters deserve credit score for creating an atmosphere that has allowed Daniels to thrive from Day 1.
