When it comes to the best up-and-coming talent in the NFL right now, Jayden Daniels deserves a mention. Following an impressive rookie campaign, the Washington Commanders QB finds himself with a favorable ranking among his counterparts in the league.
It did not take long for Daniels to show the Commanders they made the right decision by drafting him No. 2 overall. His combination of speed and throwing ability had an immediate impact on the offense, resulting in them winning 12 games and securing a postseason berth. Daniels then showed he wasn't scared of the big stage, leading Washington all the way to the NFC Championship game.
Ahead of the 2025 season, the people at FanDuel Sportsbook ranked the top second and third-year quarterbacks in the NFL. Daniels was named the best standout from this group, beating out players such as CJ Stroud, Caleb Williams, and JJ McCarthy.
Read more:Former Washington QB Utters Vote of Confidence for Jayden Daniels
Looking around at the other young QBs in the NFL, Stroud is the only player with a real case to dethrone Daniels. Ironically enough, these two quarterbacks are the last two winners of Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Stroud has shined with the Houston Texans, leading them to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons. Though his production took a slight dip last year, Stroud had far from a "sophomore slump." He ended the regular season with over 3,700 passing yards and 20 touchdowns.
While his sample size might be the smallest, it's hard to put any of these QBs ahead of Daniels after what he showed last year. He's also had the most playoff success, a testament to his star-level trajectory.
Read more:Commanders Cornerback Dubbed X-Factor for 2025 Season
Rankings like this are an example of the massive amounts of hype around Daniels. However, it also comes with lofty expectations. Last year, the Commanders QB was able to take the league by storm with minimal pressure. That will not be the case in 2025, as people will see if he can keep Washington in the mix to contend in the NFC.
Heading into this season, the key for Daniels will be staying on his path toward stardom. Countless young QBs have faltered in year two, and that's the last thing the Commanders want to see from their best young talent. The front office did their part by upgrading the talent around him. Now the challenge becomes if Daniels can surpass the high bar being set for him.
For more Washington Commanders and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Related Articles
Commanders Cornerback Dubbed X-Factor for 2025 Season
Commanders Looking to Address Key Weak Point in 2025 Season
Former Washington QB Utters Vote of Confidence for Jayden Daniels
What Could Terry McLaurin's Sizable Raise Cost Commanders?
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.