Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels took the NFL by storm last season, his first in the league. Opponents won’t be caught off guard this year.
Washington’s signal-caller ranked as the fifth-best quarterback in the league in an ESPN survey of scouts, executives and coaches released on Monday.
The list was led by Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a two-time MVP and three-time Super Bowl champion. He was followed by reigning MVP Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow and Baltimore Ravens passer Lamar Jackson.
“Single-handedly took one of the worst franchises to the NFC title game as a rookie with a bad defense, one legitimate wide receiver, a dinosaur at tight end [12th-year pro Zach Ertz] and average-at-best OL,” one anonymous NFL coordinator told ESPN.
Daniels rapidly became a force to be reckoned with, leading the Commanders to their first NFC championship game in more than 30 years and winning Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Teams anticipated his dual-threat blend of running and passing, but the late-game heroics came as a surprise. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner led the Commanders on four game-winning drives and fourth-quarter comebacks, including a now-famous “Hail Mary” to defeat the Chicago Bears in October.
“His team already believes that if he has the ball with a chance to win, he’s going to find a way,” the unnamed coordinator said. “If he repeats anything close to his rookie year, he’s no lower than No. 3 on this list next year.”
The top of the survey reached a near consensus. None of the voters — ESPN surveyed more than 70 people — ranked Mahomes, Allen, Burrow or Jackson lower than sixth on their ballot.
The Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, Detroit Lions signal-caller Jared Goff, reigning Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers passer Baker Mayfield.