Commanders Jayden Daniels Named No 1 In Ranking With Giants Star Wr

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Nov 17, 2025, 4:08 AM

commanders jayden daniels named no 1 in ranking with giants star wr

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels had an outstanding collegiate career, headlined by his final two seasons with the LSU Tigers. While with the Tigers, he developed a rapport with Malik Nabers, who wound up being the No. 6 overall pick by the New York Giants in the 2024 NFL Draft. Daniels and Nabers were named as the best teammates in the last 10 drafts. READ MORE: Adam Peters sees ‘monster’ potential in former Jets star for Commanders "In 2022, Jayden Daniels transferred from Arizona State to LSU, and this quarterback-receiver pair built an immediate connection on the field," Moton writes.

To stream WUSA9 on your phone, you need the WUSA9 app. Example video title will go here for this video Example video title will go here for this video ASHBURN, Va. — As the NFL moves closer and closer to unveiling who the top player entering the 2025 season is, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was unveiled as the No. 21-ranked player on Friday, making his debut on the top 100 list, which is voted on by the players themselves.

The recognition by his peers is a clear reflection of just how impressive Daniels’ rookie season was, and how much others believe it was a sign of things to come. If early 2025 is any indication, Daniels’ ranking could be even higher next year, as Commanders head coach Dan Quinn sees his quarterback hitting another level of development in year two. “Now you see other levels of making others better,” he says of Daniels. “‘This is what I saw, this is the correct spot, a change of a protection.’ So, now he's able to help develop others and help them fulfill what they can be.” The NFL’s annual Top 100 list has become a measuring stick for players across the league, as the rankings come directly from votes by their peers. This year, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels made a dramatic entry, securing the No.

21 spot. The recognition cements his place among the NFL’s most respected players and signals just how impactful his debut season was. Daniels took the league by storm with his ability to extend plays, attack defenses with both his arm and legs, and elevate an offense that needed a new identity. Teammates praised his composure, opponents marveled at his dual-threat skills, and fans embraced him as the centerpiece of Washington’s future. Finishing 21st on the list places him in elite company and highlights how quickly he has earned credibility. Players who voted made it clear that Daniels was not just a promising “Rookie of the Year’ last season, but an immediate second-year player who presents a problem for defenses.

His presence in the Top 100 so early in his career suggests the league sees him not only as a rising star but also as someone who already ranks among the NFL’s most dangerous... Daniels’ ranking also represents a major milestone for the Commanders. Washington has searched for stability at quarterback for years, and Daniels has brought hope to a franchise that needed it. His No. 21 ranking validates the front office’s decision to draft him and reinforces the belief that he can carry the Commanders into a new era. Head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury have both stressed that Daniels’ growth is only beginning.

The quarterback has shown a rare mix of leadership, confidence, and work ethic that complements his natural talent. Landing this high on the Top 100 provides not just recognition but also added motivation for Daniels to continue building on his strong foundation. The Washington Commanders found a star to build their roster and project around. The timing couldn’t have been better, as the new ownership, coaching staff, and front office can now kick off this new era with a new face of the franchise as well. Jayden Daniels took the league by storm in his first season out of LSU, and while some might still be hesitant to consider him a top-notch quarterback after just one season, it seems like... At least, that’s what you can get from the latest ESPN survey.

Jeremy Fowler surveyed multiple league executives, coaches, and scouts, and they agreed that Daniels was the fifth-best quarterback in the league right now: Where would you rank Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels among the NFL's top signal-callers? Some believe Daniels is already in the top five, right behind Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow. Others left Daniels out of the top 10. Fox Sports recently revealed its list of top 10 quarterbacks, and Daniels made the list. Daniels was ranked No.

9, just ahead of Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys. Daniels needed just one NFL season to break into the top 10 at his position. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award and led Washington to its most wins in a regular season since 1991. He completed 69% of his passes for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns, while rushing for 891 yards and six touchdowns. But what cemented his ranking in the top 10 was his ability to lead the Commanders to the NFC Championship.

At least Fox Sports correctly had Daniels inside the top 10. While all rankings are subjective, Daniels should be in everyone's top 10. It would have been unthinkable a decade ago to see a second-year quarterback ranked inside the top 10. Daniels is different. While he had plenty of help last season, Daniels took on more of the offensive burden as the season progressed. He led Washington in rushing, while looking like a 10-year veteran, operating from the pocket.

The Commanders have every reason to believe Daniels will be even better in 2025. Washington retained its entire coaching staff, which means offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is back. The Commanders also beefed up their offensive line, particularly at offensive tackle and added a motivated Deebo Samuel as WR2. Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has been ranked No. 21 among the NFL's Top 100 players of 2025, making him the highest ranked Commanders player on the list. Daniels was the catalyst for Washington's success last season.

Along with helping the Commanders become a top 10 offense, Daniels put together one of the best rookie campaigns in NFL history. He was the first player to have at least 1,000 passing yards and 250 rushing yards in their first five games and became the first quarterback in NFL history to have consecutive games with... Daniels also put himself in elite company this season. He joined the likes of Cam Newton and Washington Legend Robert Griffin III when he surpassed 3,000 passing yards and 600 rushing yards against the Saints, becoming just the third rookie in NFL history... Daniels finished the regular season with 3,568 yards and 31 total touchdowns, which helped him be selected as a primary quarterback for the NFC in the Pro Bowl. Daniels became the first Washington rookie to be named to the Pro Bowl since Chase Young in 2020 and the first Washington offensive rookie and first Washington rookie quarterback to be named to the...

Daniels joined Griffin III, Kirk Cousins (2016), Brad Johnson (1999), Gus Frerotte (1996), Mark Rypien (1989 and 1991), Jay Schroeder (1986), Joe Theismann (1982 and 1983), Billy Kilmer (1972), Sonny Jurgensen (1964, 1966, 1967... Daniels put himself among the best quarterbacks in the league by finishing in the top 10 in several categories. He ranked ninth in completion rate (69%) and fourth in QBR (70.6). Daniels also broke the NFL rookie rushing record for a quarterback and has thrown more touchdowns in the fourth quarter of games than any rookie in NFL history. Led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Washington Commanders played in the NFC Championship game in 2024. Big things were expected in 2025, but injuries had other ideas.

Now 3-6, the Commanders are on the outside looking in on the NFC playoff picture, and it's been a lost season for Daniels due to injuries, including a dislocated elbow last week. The biggest storyline of Washington's offseason was wide receiver Terry McLaurin's contract standoff. While McLaurin and the Commanders eventually settled on a three-year extension two weeks before the season opener, it took him missing OTAs, training camp and the preseason. Unsurprisingly, McLaurin injured his quad in Week 3, returned in Week 8, and will be out for his sixth game on Sunday when Washington hosts the Detroit Lions. It's been that type of season for the Commanders. And Washington's lack of depth at wide receiver is more glaring than ever.

While we are still months away from the 2026 NFL draft, the Commanders look like a contender for a top-10 pick, which could land them one of the draft's top receiver prospects. In a new mock draft for The Athletic, Nick Baumgardner has Washington selecting Arizona State wideout Jordyn Tyson with the No. 9 overall pick. The Commanders could go with an edge in Round 1, but Jayden Daniels still needs a big-time, future No. 1 receiver who can help set a tone for the rest of the offense. And Tyson is the most complete WR in this draft.

He blocks, and wins both in the air and underneath. Tyson does everything — and does it well. Jayden Daniels might be able to recover from injury in time to play again for the Commanders this season. That does not mean Washington should allow their franchise quarterback back on the field during the 2025 campaign. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network has the report that Daniels will not need surgery to repair his injured elbow. That revelation opens up the door for the young signal-caller to return at some point before the end of the regular season.

Clearly, Washington's chances of winning games go up when their No. 1 quarterback is able to line up under center. None of that changes the reality that Washington currently owns an ugly record of 3-6. That puts them 3.5 games behind the Eagles in the division and comfortably outside of a Wild Card place in the NFC. To put it bluntly, the Commanders' chances of earning a postseason berth this year are minimal. This is especially true if they're forced to play a few more key games with Marcus Mariota taking snaps.

That's why the higher-ups in Washington need to step in and do what's best for their franchise quarterback's long-term health. It's time for the front office to put Daniels on the shelf for the rest of the year. It's far more important to make sure Daniels gets fully healthy this offseason than to rush him back into action for a meaningless game or two at the end of this season. Keeping Daniels on the shelf until 2026 would also give the Commanders a chance to build a better offensive ecosystem around him. Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will turn 25 this December, giving him just one more year after 2025 to be ranked among the NFL’s ‘young quarterbacks.’ It just so happens that his last year of eligibility on a list of quarterbacks 25 years old and under also coincides with the last season he has to play before he and the...

Commanders Jayden Daniels Named No 1 In Ranking With Giants Star Wr

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