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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Natalie Miller

2024 Rookie preview: Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders

In a search that is a decade in the making, the Washington Commanders have seemingly finally found the franchise quarterback that they have been desperately searching for. Holding the second pick in the draft, this Washington team secured the Heisman-winning signal-caller out of LSU in Jayden Daniels.

While the situation Daniels is walking into is less than desirable given the state of the offensive line, there is a lot to like about Daniel’s ability and the weapons that surround him as he sets up to take over as the full-time starter. The likes of veteran Terry McLaurin, Dyami Brown, Jahan Dotson, and fellow rookie Luke McCaffrey should give Daniels plenty of opportunity to replicate some of the numbers he put up last college season.

New offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is going to bring a lot of what Daniels ran at LSU over to a NFL offense to take full advantage of his unique skillset. Expect to see a lot of read option, extending play deep balls, and spread concepts in Washington. While Daniels himself should look comfortable and excel in his new digs, it’s hard to imagine the Washington offensive line holding up the same way. Expect Daniels to show plenty of flashes but for the talent surrounding him to ultimately hold the team back.

Stat projection: 3,400 passing yards, 850 rushing yards, 25 touchdowns, 7 interceptions

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