By selecting the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Jayden Daniels, the Commanders feel they have secured their franchise quarterback. Daniels is a polarizing prospect, dividing the fantasy community into those who believe in his abilities and those who believe he is too slight and reckless with his body to sustain a successful NFL career.
Jayden Daniels 2023 Stats and Scouting Report
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In 2023, Daniels threw for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns with just four interceptions for the LSU Tigers. Additionally, he ran for 1,234 yards and ten touchdowns on his way to the Heisman Trophy. Jayden Daniels was thoroughly dominant in the toughest conference in the country.
Daniels is an elite athlete at the quarterback position. He has great ability to escape the pocket and create in the open field. While he doesn’t possess great arm talent, Jayden Daniels does throw an amazing deep ball. His lack of arm strength, however, is a concern when trying to fit the ball in tight windows.
He draws comparisons to Lamar Jackson with his athletic ability, which is fair on the surface. However, unlike Jackson, Daniels does not avoid dangerous contact. Combine that with his slight frame, Jayden Daniels is at a much higher risk for major injury.
Jayden Daniels 2024 Fantasy Outlook
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Daniels will likely enter the season as the Commanders starting quarterback as a rookie. Washington did bring in Marcus Mariota this offseason, but Jayden Daniels is the future, so he may as well be their present too.
Washington has a pretty solid corps of weapons at the young quarterback’s disposal. Terry McLaurin is one of the league’s best wide receivers, while Jahan Dotson and rookie Luke McCaffrey are both explosive downfield targets. Zach Ertz was brought in this offseason and the franchise drafted TE Ben Sinnott out of Kansas State. Both should provide stability in the check-down and short to intermediate game. Also, Austin Ekeler has made his way to DC from LA. He has had a wonderful career as a pass-catching running back.
The surrounding cast Washington has assembled around Jayden Daniels should take plenty of pressure off him.
According to Fantasy Pros ADP, Daniels is being drafted as the 114th overall pick in standard drafts and the 20th quarterback selected. In full PPR leagues, he is going 126th overall and the 17th QB off the board. In half PPR leagues, Daniels’ ADP is 118th overall and he is being drafted as the 18th QB. It is totally fair to draft him in the mid-to-late teens at the quarterback position.
Final Thoughts
Again, I’m not high on drafting rookie quarterbacks very highly in redraft leagues. However, I am much higher on Jayden Daniels in redrafts than I am in dynasty leagues. His propensity to take big hits doesn’t lend itself to him having a long-lasting career in the NFL. So, I recommend taking advantage of his skillset while you can. He should be drafted as a mid-level QB2 with backend QB1 potential due to his running ability.
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About the Author
Tom has been writing about professional wrestling, college football, NFL, and fantasy football for over a decade and is an avid sports fan. He has been known in the fantasy football industry for his dynasty and devy knowledge, but he is also very versed in betting.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee with a History degree, he loves all things Vols. He is also a massive Atlanta Braves and Dallas Cowboys fan.
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