Sport News Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRT
Featured Columnist IVSeptember 8, 2024
Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
Jayden Daniels looked like the No. 2 overall pick on Sunday, showing off the explosive potential that made him the second quarterback off the board but the inexperience that plagues most rookie signal-callers.
It was an uneven performance for the young quarterback in the 37-20 loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as he finished 17-of-24 for 184 yards through the air with no interceptions or touchdowns and two sacks taken.
He was far more dynamic as a runner, rushing 16 times for 88 yards and two scores.
NFL @NFL
There goes Jayden Daniels 💨
📺: #WASvsTB on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/qdQX6oxT1M
Jayden Daniels. Too fast.
📺: #WASvsTB on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/iqpKiJ9Tqu
Jayden Daniels runs it in for his first NFL TD!
📺: #WASvsTB on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/CFzj6rmj8z
Daniels undoubtedly showcased his ability to extend plays or break the pocket and reel off major gains. He also, at times, appeared to hold the ball too long and struggled to connect on routes down the field.
That earned him mixed reviews on social media, though the upside is hard to ignore:
Matt Leinart @MattLeinartQB
Jayden Daniels is going to be really really good for a long time.
the Jayden Daniels scrambles are cool and productive
but right now – it is the entire offense
that *must* change
Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin should meet.
Jayden Daniels’ legs clearly a big help so far. Will need to get help from the WR’s at some point. Don’t want to see more hits to the head, tho has done a good job on other plays of avoiding contact.
Jayden Daniels already making me nervous with all this running.
The Commanders have a ton of problems which we already knew… Jayden Daniels is not one of them.
Commanders entire offense is Jayden Daniels scrambling when there’s nobody open.
This was coming a mile away. These two teams are in clearly different spots, right now, but you can see what the Commanders are trying to do and there’s plenty of hope with Jayden Daniels at the helm.
Jayden Daniels is reminding me of watching Justin Fields play. That’s not good.
Jayden Daniels played the most conservative game i seen from a qb in his first game. Ig that’s better than taking risks and turning the ball over tho
The contrast between the rookie and a veteran like Baker Mayfield—who finished 24-of-30 for 289 yards and four touchdowns—was palpable. Such is to be expected given that experience gap.
And it certainly could have been worse. The top overall pick, Chicago’s Caleb Williams, got a win in his first game but finished just 14-of-29 for 93 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Bo Nix had a wild stat line, going 26-of-42 for just 138 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in Denver’s Week 1 loss, adding a rushing score.
Daniels is going to be entertaining this season given his explosive ability on the ground. Until he and the Commanders improve in the passing game, however, moving the ball consistently is going to be a struggle.
And it may all be a moot point if the Washington defense remains as hapless as it looked against Mayfield and the Bucs.
