NFL Rookie QB Musings, Week 8: Caleb Williams vs Jayden Daniels; Drake Maye's run at history
The Caleb Williams vs Jayden Daniels battle is on!
After a week of not knowing the status of Daniels, it appears the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft is expected to start for the Washington Commanders when they go up against the No. 1 overall pick in the draft in Chicago Bears rookie Caleb Williams.
As the top two picks in the draft, both quarterbacks have come as advertised. It did take Williams a few games to find his comfort, but he has found his zone in anchoring the Bears’ offense and will give Daniels a run for his money for NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
Daniels expected to be ready to go
Speaking of Daniels, when it comes to health, the Commanders’ QB has been listed as questionable the week leading up to the showdown with the Bears after suffering a rib injury in the team’s 40-7 win over the Carolina Panthers. Originally listed as week-to-week, Commanders’ head coach and the team has been cautious with Daniels and it does appear he’ll be ready to go in a much anticipated QB matchup.
As for the game itself, both quarterbacks have been surrounded with the talent for them to be successful and utilize their skills. Daniels has been doing it all season long while Williams has found his poise and have been orchestrated a solid Bears’ offense.
Commanders linebacker Dante Fowler Jr., knows how dangerous Williams is leading the playmakers Chicago has.
“He’s a dynamic quarterback,” Fowler Jr. said, via the team’s official website. “[He’s] a guy that has a very strong arm, a guy that like to get out and move around in the pocket. He becomes really dangerous when he can do those type of things.”
The Commanders’ defense should be prepared, however, since they go up against a similar quarterback in practice. In all, this will be a fun one and if Daniels proves to be more than 85 percent healthy, both QB’s should put on a show.
Don’t forget about Drake Maye
While his team is not winning like both the Commanders and Bears, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is making his own noise. In his first two starts, Drake Maye has thrown for over 500 yards with 5 TDs which puts him in the same class as Dan Marino as the only two quarterbacks in NFL history with at least 500 passing yards and five touchdown passes in their first two starts.
Maye has done that with an inconsistent offensive line, a run game that hasn’t produced and a lack of reliable targets. Just imagine if those things start to come together as the season moves forward.
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With the New England Patriots going up against Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets in Week 8, there’s a chance for Maye to stand alone in history if he passes for at least 240 yards with two touchdowns. It will be tough against a Jets’ defense that will add Haasan Reddick to the mix.