Jayden Daniels has taken the NFL by storm ... and he's just getting started

Jayden Daniels has nan NFL scouting organization buzzing aft a prime-time breakout performance that has convention unit reviewing their notes connected nan erstwhile LSU standout. The Heisman Trophy victor has taken nan convention by storm, exhibiting nan dual-threat playmaking expertise that gives protect coordinators sleepless nights erstwhile pondering really to take sides nan Washington Commanders' caller QB1. 

Despite entering nan NFL arsenic nan 2nd wide prime down Caleb Williams, nan 6-foot-4, 210-pounder looks for illustration nan crown jewel of a backmost people that features 3 rookie starters (Williams, Daniels and Bo Nix) pinch different (Drake Maye) connected nan horizon. Daniels' spectacular play has captivated casual observers while impressing backmost gurus pinch his ratio successful directing nan Commanders discourtesy for illustration a 10-year vet. 

Though Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt antecedently suggested Daniels was moving a "college offense" pinch simplistic concepts, nan rookie has dazzled arsenic a playmaker successful caller Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury's scheme. He leads nan NFL pinch an 80.3% completion complaint and ranks 5th successful passer standing (111.8), averaging 221.3 walk yards per crippled pinch 2 touchdowns and nary interceptions. 

Additionally, Daniels has rushed for 171 yards and 3 touchdowns connected 38 carries, exhibiting nan speed, quickness, and playmaking expertise to elude and evade defenders connected designed runs and scrambles. With nan Commanders' strategy besides featuring a postulation of complementary RPOs (run-pass options), quick-rhythm throws, and selective heavy shots, nan rookie has shined arsenic a first-time starter successful a convention that routinely chews up and spits retired young quarterbacks. 

During nan pre-draft process, it was easy to envision Daniels excelling arsenic a franchise backmost based connected his acquisition (55 collegiate starts), exceptional limb talent, and athleticism. 

The 2023 Heisman Trophy victor tallied 12,749 passing yards and 3,307 rushing yards arsenic a collegian pinch 124 full touchdowns (89 passing, 34 rushing and 1 receiving). Daniels rushed and passed for a touchdown 22 times during his profession (13 astatine LSU, 9 astatine Arizona State), displaying spectacular stop-start quickness and elusiveness arsenic a runner to complement a polished crippled from nan pocket.

Though it took a five-year travel for nan young backmost to refine his crippled astatine nan collegiate level, nan extended enactment enabled Daniels to log nan basal reps to maestro respective important aspects of nan position. From mastering nan creation of reference sum and operating astatine nan statement of scrimmage to controlling emotions successful high-pressure situations, Daniels entered nan convention arsenic a mature subordinate pinch nan poise, composure, and assurance to measurement into a veteran-laden locker room pinch nan self-assuredness required to return connected a activity role. 

While immoderate coaches will name young players captains without making them gain nan position, nan Commanders' QB1 won complete his teammates pinch his preparation, capacity and wide consistency. Daniels showed up and showed retired passim OTAs (organized squad activities) and minicamps and continued to dazzle successful training campy and preseason games. 

During nan regular season, nan rookie has taken his crippled up a notch, pinch his poise and capacity helping nan Commanders title retired to a 2-1 start. Daniels has directed nan discourtesy to 14 consecutive scoring drives (excluding kneel-downs) pinch a poise that has helped nan portion flooded challenging late-game circumstances. Whether utilizing his legs aliases pinpoint walk skills to person 4th downs, nan rookie has answered nan doorbell whenever his squad needs a play. 

Tracking Daniels' deed chart, nan Commanders person gradually added much vertical throws to nan crippled scheme to forestall opponents from squatting connected nan quick-rhythm throws astatine short and intermediate range. With heavy balls flying complete nan apical of sum to Terry McLaurin, Zach Ertz, Austin Ekeler, and a postulation of unheralded walk catchers person been capable to move nan chains, snagging various "catch-and-run" concepts designed to support nan discourtesy connected schedule. 

Given Kingsbury's occurrence transforming Kyler Murray from a No. 1 wide prime into nan 2019 Offensive Rookie of nan Year grant pursuing a run wherever he passed for 3,500-plus yards and added complete 500 yards connected nan ground, it is not astonishing Daniels is nan front-runner to triumph nan prestigious grant this play aft his sizzling showcasing his dual-threat playmaking potential. 

After starting 33 different quarterbacks since past winning nan Super Bowl aft nan 1991 season, including 8 complete nan past 4 seasons, nan Commanders yet person a franchise backmost successful spot pinch nan talent, composure and assurance to make nan squad title contenders again. Though nan three-game sample size is not capable to make a bold proclamation astir Daniels reaching elite position by nan extremity of Year 1, nan little flashes of brilliance propose nan Commanders' caller QB1 has each of nan traits needed to thief Washington re-emerge arsenic 1 of nan heavyweights successful nan NFC. 

Bucky Brooks is an NFL expert for FOX Sports. He besides breaks down nan crippled for NFL Network and arsenic a cohost of nan "Moving nan Sticks" podcast. Follow him connected Twitter @BuckyBrooks.