After winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors after making a trip to the NFC Championship Game, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will look to rise even higher in his sophomore season in the NFL. Can he be a top 5 QB in the league by the end of the 2025 NFL season?
After the performance he put on in his rookie season, some NFL pundits (and NFL Mocks) would say he’s a top 5 QB entering the season. It is hard to argue that status after the mark Daniels made on the league in his debut season. Coming off a Heisman Trophy in his final season at LSU, Daniels showed just why he was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by leading the Commanders from a last place finish in the NFC West to a 12-5 season and a game away from the Super Bowl.
In throwing for 3,568 yards with 25 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, Daniels was impressive in his ability to lead his team, perform under pressure and finding the right spots to make plays with his legs. With more eyes on him entering his sophomore season, will Danials take a step back or will he continue to rise?
Jayden Daniels already standing out amongst the best
ESPN confirmed Daniels’ top 5 status in their new quarterback ranking list in which Daniels comes in at No. 5 behind Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson.
ESPN writes:
“Daniels’ phenomenal rookie season demanded an appearance somewhere in the top 10. That he pushed his way into the top five, narrowly outdistancing Stafford in the voting, shows voters have no problem validating his hype.
"Last season, Daniels posted the fourth-highest QBR in the NFL (70.6), the best mark for a rookie since Dak Prescott in 2016. But he was even better on third and fourth downs, recording a league-leading 95.3 QBR on those downs."
But is it too much hype?
Given his talent and poise as an NFL quarterback, the answer is no if the team around him continues to transcend as well. Outside of the Terry McLaurin contract drama, the Commanders have done what they needed to do to continue to build around Daniels. That is part of five reasons Daniels will solidify that top 5 ranking in Year 2.
5 reasons Jayden Daniels will avoid a sophomore slump
- Dual threat ability: It’s funny how Daniels entered the league projected as a poor man’s Lamar Jackson. The Commanders quarterback made his own mark on the league in his ability to lead an offense under the guidance of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingbury. With the fourth-best QBR in the NFL, Kingsbury was able to find ways to utilize Daniels’ arm talent along with his ability to rush the ball from the quarterback position. Like Jackson, Daniels is a hard quarterback to defend and an ever-tougher QB to rattle. He'll continue to improve in how he sees the field and how he attacks defenses.
- Offensive line: The Commanders entered the offseason with the need of improving the offensive line in front of Daniels. They did that by trading for five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil to hold it down at left tackle and drafting Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round. Both additions help solidify the offensive line and protect the young, emerging franchise quarterback.
More on Jayden Daniels at NFL Mocks:
- Deebo Samuel Sr.: Another big move this offseason for the Commanders was the trade that brought Deebo Samuel to Washington. Despite some decline numbers wise with the San Francisco 49ers, Samuel could find rejuvenation in an offense led by Daniels. With his ability to break tackles on short throws, the re-emergence will make the second-year quarterback that much more efficient and dangerous in what he can do in the pocket. The McLaurin issue needs to work its way out and if it does, the McLaurin-Samuel duo could be tough to handle.
- Running backs: Led by Brian Robinson Jr., the Commanders running game should be solid once again with Austin Ekeler in the mix along with Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. The running game is always a young quarterback’s best friend and Robinson, and company were just that during Daniels’ rookie season, especially in early down situations. The key is Ekeler who played just 10 games in 2024. His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield also gives Daniels another quick outlet or checkdown option if gets early pressure.
- Kliff Kingsbury: The main reason Daniels will avoid a sophomore slump is the stability he will have in the coaching staff. That familiarity and confidence will go a long way in Daniels’ success in Year 2. With his spread option attack, Kingsbury will find ways to exploit mismatches and get Daniels out in space when necessary. His playbook and the playmakers around Daniels should be better in 2025. The question with the Commanders as a team is how well they have improved defensively. A solid defense can also help Daniels secure himself as a top 5 QB in the NFL.
To sum it all up, Daniels’ biggest challenge will be to avoid fading under that spotlight. His short history in the NFL has shown to bet against him doing that. But there have been many times quarterbacks with huge success in their rookie season has faded in Year 2. Commanders’ fans know that well with the Robert Griffin III experience.