The former second overall pick, Jayden Daniels, took the NFL by storm right off the bat, leading the Washington Commanders to a 12-5 record and the NFC Conference game last season. Even as a rookie, his connection with Terry McLaurin was golden all season from start to finish.
Now adding Laremy Tunsil on the offensive line and Deebo Samuel at wide receiver, this should make the 24-year-old a highly coveted quarterback for fantasy after finishing 5th overall at the position among the elites like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen.
From being a 5th or 8th overall draft pick in redraft leagues last season, you will likely have to spend a 3rd or 4th-round pick this season as a potential top-three quarterback. With that inflated stock in fantasy leagues, will it be worth it chasing after Daniels, or is he worth the pass based on ADP?
Jayden Daniels 2024 Stats and Fantasy Production
Daniels finished his 2024 season with 3,568 passing yards and 891 yards on the ground. There is potential to beat the stereotypical “sophomore slump,” as the team around him improved and should see further growth.
With a 69% completion percentage, 25 passing touchdowns to just nine interceptions, and six rushing touchdowns to just three fumbles, it’s hard not to be excited about him in fantasy for 2025. The former Heisman trophy winner also played through a rib injury mid-season, and that did affect some of his rushing upside late into the season.
However, fantasy football is all about opportunity cost. While Daniels is one of the rare rushing quarterbacks that can take you to a title, you are risking passing up on an elite running back or wide receiver prospect in the 3rd or 4th round for redraft.
Jayden Daniels 2025 Fantasy Outlook
According to Fantasy Pros, the first-year Pro Bowler and Offensive Rookie of the Year is being taken right after Jackson and Allen. Jayden Daniels is consistently ranked ahead of Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow, and Baker Mayfield because of two things.
One is the rushing floor/upside that gives you an edge regardless of matchup, and two, his rushing and touchdown efficiency were relatively high with their average run game in 2024.
Both Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler are back, so expect the rushing to still be a major part of his game. The one concern, despite more weapons and protection, is his health, whether he can repeat what he did in 2024. While Daniels is worth a top pick at the position, it does put pressure on you to hit at other positions for redraft due to the ADP.
Final Thoughts on Jayden Daniels
Taking Jayden Daniels that early might depend on where you pick for redraft. Currently, his ADP is at 30, making him a 2nd or 3rd round selection in most leagues. If he somehow falls to late round three or even four, Daniels is a value and might be an ideal candidate if you pick later in snake drafts when you get to your 3rd round pick.
However, waiting a round later on a Burrow potentially might be the better pickup in redraft. But in terms of the other options, that is the only pocket passer I would advocate for over Daniels, just because of his rushing ceiling. Daniels finished in the top five seven times and in the top 10 eight times.
In terms of strength of schedule, playing teams in the NFC East twice a season, that might lean Burrow over him. Daniels did play the game manager role at times against tougher defenses, which wouldn’t raise his ceiling due to lacking some big shootout-type scenarios that Burrow and Mayfield were in a few times. However, his floor is safer than those two with his guaranteed multiple rushing attempts a game.
