Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels rapidly established himself as one of the NFL’s most remarkable rookie QBs last season, leading a previously four-win team to 12 victories and an NFC Championship Game appearance. As fantasy football managers prepare for their drafts, Daniels’ fantasy football outlook raises the key question: can he replicate or even surpass his breakout success in the upcoming season?
Emergence of Jayden Daniels Among Top Fantasy Quarterbacks
For years, fantasy football has been dominated by a consistent group of elite quarterbacks including Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, and Patrick Mahomes. While players like Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert have challenged their ranks, that group largely remained intact. However, a recent shift in the quarterback hierarchy has created an opportunity that Daniels quickly seized.
With Mahomes showing signs of a slight decline as a top fantasy scorer, Daniels stepped into the spotlight, staking a legitimate claim inside the upper tier of fantasy QBs. As a rookie, Daniels was viewed as a high-upside late-round pick, typically going around QB10 in average draft position (ADP). Although there was uncertainty if he could achieve that level, Daniels surpassed expectations.
He began his NFL career with an explosive 28.2 fantasy points in his first game and maintained that momentum throughout the season. Daniels won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award and finished as the overall QB5 in fantasy scoring. Only Cam Newton and Justin Herbert had rookie fantasy seasons better than his.
Effective Play Despite Limited Supporting Talent
What makes Daniels’ rookie season more impressive is the lack of elite talent surrounding him. Terry McLaurin stands as the Commanders’ WR1, yet he is not generally classified among the league’s top receivers. Beyond McLaurin, the receiving corps included role players such as Noah Brown, Dyami Brown, and Olamide Zaccheaus. Their primary tight end was veteran Zach Ertz, who, at 34 years old, is past his prime fantasy production years.
With a year of experience in the NFL under his belt, Daniels now heads into the new season with an upgraded offense featuring the addition of Deebo Samuel. While Samuel’s fantasy value may have diminished recently, he still represents a clear upgrade over the prior supporting cast, complementing McLaurin and providing Daniels with better receiving options.
Daniels’ Dual-Threat Ability Fuels Fantasy Value
What truly sets Daniels apart from other quarterbacks is his rushing ability. His passing was also efficient, completing 69% of his attempts as a rookie. However, fantasy football success often depends on a quarterback’s rushing production, and Daniels delivers that in abundance.
He averaged 52.4 rushing yards per game and scored six rushing touchdowns last season, demonstrating a level of mobility rare among top fantasy quarterbacks. At just 24 years old, Daniels is unlikely to face restrictions on his running style from coaching staff, preserving an essential aspect of his fantasy appeal.
Evaluating the Risk: Is Daniels Worth an Early-Round Pick?
Despite his breakout, fantasy managers must weigh the risks of drafting Daniels ahead of talented running backs or wide receivers. History shows that some quarterbacks with promising rookie campaigns, like C.J. Stroud, have struggled to maintain that production in their sophomore year.
However, Daniels’ skill set and rushing upside suggest he has a strong foundation to become a consistent elite fantasy option for many seasons. His current ADP sits around QB3, only trailing Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson by a narrow margin. To justify selecting Daniels so early, he must perform at or near the same level as those elite QBs, and the indicators point toward that possibility.
Some managers may prefer to invest their early picks in RBs and WRs with top-five upside, making early selection of a quarterback a more contentious choice. Yet the evolving landscape reveals increasing value in locking down an elite QB, as demonstrated by Daniels’ ability to win matchups with big weekly performances.
Daniels’ Impact on Weekly Matchups and Draft Strategy
Daniels delivered seven week-winning fantasy performances last season, including his two best games during critical weeks 16 and 17. His capacity to single-handedly influence matchups embodies the kind of player who provides consistent, high-end production capable of swinging leagues.
While other late-round quarterbacks might replicate Daniels’ rookie–season value this year, history has shown that early investment in a dual-threat QB can often pay dividends. In previous seasons, drafters who passed on Allen or Hurts only to select Daniels six rounds later reaped notable rewards.
If fantasy managers miss out on Daniels or choose to focus on skill position players early, that approach remains valid. Nonetheless, those considering selecting Daniels at an early QB3 spot should feel confident in his upside and role as a premium fantasy asset.