NFL Rookie Roundup 360: Jayden Daniels delivering a high-five performance in Year 1

Will this be a second straight season in which the NFL sees the No. 2 quarterback taken in the NFL Draft outshine the top quarterback in the draft. Well, it is playing out that way through Week 4 of the 2024 NFL season as Jayden Daniels has Washington Commanders fans glimmering, while Chicago Bears fans are wondering if Caleb Williams was the right choice.

With any top rookie, it will take time, but when players like Daniels and CJ Stroud come in and make a seamless transition to the NFL level, one must wonder if it’s just a matter of coaching and the team surrounding that QB.

Williams seemed to have the better supporting cast, but Daniels under Commanders’ offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is the player benefitting most from the gameplan and the talent he has around him.  It is an efficient rushing attack that is allowing Daniels to stay within his elements and make the type of plays that helped secure him as a 2023 Heisman Trophy.

That is what NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks gives as a supporting argument in why he feels Daniels is thriving.

Brooks writes:

“With Washington's ability to lean on the rushing attack to control the game, Daniels has kept the offense on schedule, allowing him to operate in attack mode. As a deadly, accurate passer with exceptional arm talent, he has taken advantage of favorable looks and high-percentage throws that punish opponents for overaggressive tactics or soft coverage.”

The question now is whether the Bears can find ways to put Williams in position to show off what he can do within the gameplan as Chicago seemingly had the right kind of offense build for the No. 1 overall pick to shine just like Daniels is shining in Washington.

What’s next for Jayden Daniels?

Following a breakout type performance against the Cincinnati Bengals, the challenge for the 6-foot-4 quarterback is to continue what he is doing.  In the team’s 38-33 win against the Bengals, Daniels delivered by completing 21-of-23 percent of his passes for 254 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The numbers weren’t explosive, but he was efficient and made the explosive plays when needed.  With the Commanders taking on the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4, Daniels must continue the momentum while continuing to learn at the same time.  Too much success early can sometimes come back to haunt a young player.  The goal for Daniels will be to have a similar type of rookie season Robert Griffin III had but sustain that success for years to come. 

Can the New England Patriots find similar success for Drake Maye

What about the No. 3 overall player taken in the 2024 NFL Draft? 

While the Bears, Commanders and Denver Broncos threw their rookie QB’s right out there, the Patriots have so far taken the patient approach.  Drake Maye did see some garbage time action against the New York Jets, but the question is more of when Maye will take over the starting role this season rather than if. 

Now, if you are a Patriots fan, you may not have too much confidence in the team’s current offensive line to allow Maye to cook, but what Daniels is doing in Washington should give hope as to the success Maye can have as a rookie. But then Williams and Bo Nix’s struggles are the reasons why there is hesitance around throwing Maye out there.

While there is an argument to be made on either sitting him longer or starting him sooner, when Maye is ready, the team will know it and most importantly, so will he.