Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels delivered a remarkable rookie season in 2024, leading the team to their first conference championship in over three decades while registering one of the highest single-season grades ever recorded by a rookie quarterback in the PFF era. Despite noticeable struggles in deep passing accuracy, Daniels’ rookie season highlights demonstrate a blend of athleticism, poise, and on-field intelligence that signals a bright future.
Daniels’ Exceptional Rookie Campaign Sets High Standard
Selected second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Daniels immediately defied expectations by guiding the Commanders deep into the playoffs, marking their first conference championship appearance in more than 30 years. He tied Russell Wilson’s 90.6 overall PFF grade for rookies, a testament to his impressive transition from collegiate success to the professional level.
Daniels’ rookie season featured standout moments such as his Week 3 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, where he completed 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception. This dominant showing earned him a season-best 95.9 PFF grade, highlighting his ability to efficiently manage the offense and limit mistakes.
Breaking Down Jayden Daniels’ Strengths on the Field
Daniels’ athletic skills, well-regarded from his college career, translated seamlessly to the NFL. He was one of just two quarterbacks to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in the 2024 season and led the league in missed tackles forced by a quarterback with 52. His 669 scramble yards were the most in the NFL, outpacing the next closest runner by over 200 yards.
More than just a running threat, Daniels developed into a passer who kept his eyes downfield even under pressure, converting scrambles into successful throws. His improved sack avoidance statistics reflected this growth. While his college pressure-to-sack rate was 24.5%, Daniels lowered it to 19.7% in his rookie season, matching the 2024 NFL average, a sign of substantial progress in holding onto the football and making smarter decisions.
Daniels also overturned pre-draft doubts about his willingness to attack the middle of the field. As a rookie, he ranked third in completions in this challenging area and earned an 84.9 passing grade, placing him among the NFL’s top ten for making tight-window passes over the center of the field. This ability demonstrated his advanced field vision and timing, traits often seen in more experienced signal-callers.
“I’m writing an article recapping last year’s rookie QBs and I’m, of course, starting with Jayden Daniels. I forgot about how unreal this throw was last year pic.twitter.com/pBYbWyt2cR” — Nick Akridge, PFF Analyst
Challenges in Handling Pressure and Deep Passing Accuracy
While Daniels excelled in many respects, a few areas showed room for improvement. Under pressure, his adjusted completion percentage dropped to 63.1%, ranking him 25th among NFL quarterbacks in 2024. He demonstrated a tendency to fall off his throws when defenders closed in, often forcing off-balance and back-foot passes that led to inaccuracies and limited yards after catch for his receivers.
“Unfortunately, Jayden Daniels is not perfect. He does have a slight tendency to fall off throws leading to incompletions or completions that prevent yards after the catch pic.twitter.com/sMVMerppLz” — Nick Akridge, PFF Analyst
The Washington Commanders are investing in improving their offensive line, which should help reduce pressure on Daniels, but it remains vital for him to grow more comfortable standing in the pocket and delivering accurate throws even when facing contact.
Another significant challenge for Daniels was his inconsistency on deep passes—the throws of 20 or more yards downfield. His deep passing grade was 88.2, ranking 17th in the NFL, while his adjusted completion percentage was only 38.6%, placing him 27th in the league. These numbers suggest that although Daniels showed flashes of spectacular deep throws, he often overthrew his targets and failed to convert many big-play opportunities that could have made the Commanders’ offense even more explosive.
Implications and What Lies Ahead for Daniels and the Commanders
Jayden Daniels’ rookie season firmly established him as one of the NFL’s premier young quarterbacks and possibly the best in the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/nfc/”>NFC. His capability to overcome pre-draft questions and demonstrate proficiency as both a runner and passer provides a solid foundation for long-term success.
As Daniels continues to develop, particularly in refining his deep passing accuracy and improving his performance under pressure, the potential impact on Washington’s offense is substantial. Should he overcome these hurdles, Daniels and the Commanders could elevate their play to become consistent contenders in the coming seasons.
Given Daniels’ rapid growth during his first year, the threat of a sophomore slump seems unlikely. Instead, his trajectory points toward steady improvement and increased leadership. With continued support and development, the Washington Commanders could enjoy many more playoff runs powered by their standout rookie quarterback.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What injury did Jayden Daniels suffer?
A. Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will not be at Wednesday’s practice because of a rib injury. He got hurt three days ago in a 40-7 victory against the Carolina Panthers.
Q. Are Jayden Daniels parents?
A. Everything You Need to Know About Jayden Daniels’ Parents, Javon Daniels and Regina Jackson.
Q. What injury did Jayden Daniels have?
A. Daniels got hurt in the ribs during Washington’s first drive and was later taken out of the game.
Q. Who is Jayden Daniels dad?
A. Daniels was born to Javon “Jay” Daniels, who played college football as a cornerback for the Washington Huskies and Iowa State Cyclones in the late 1990s. His mother, Regina Jackson, is his business manager and became an NFLPA-certified agent in 2024. He also has an older sister named Bianca.