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Commanders Load Up Around Jayden Daniels In Aggressive 2026 Mock Msn

Bonisiwe Shabane
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commanders load up around jayden daniels in aggressive 2026 mock msn

With the 2025 NFL Draft around the corner, what would happen if the league hit the reset button — and every team could draft from a pool of current NFL players and draft-eligible rookies? Where would Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels land? In a hypothetical expansion draft imagined by FOX Sports NFL reporters David Helman and Henry McKenna, the duo created a two-round mock where teams build their rosters from scratch. And it’s no surprise that Jayden Daniels is going No. 5 overall, trading in his burgundy and gold for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ teal, black, and gold. Daniels’ rookie year showed exactly why he belongs in the top five.

His poise and production proved he’s a true franchise quarterback. While imagining him with the Jaguars is a fictional leap, the resume speaks volumes: he led Washington to the NFC Championship, won Offensive Rookie of the Year, and shattered rookie quarterback records. As McKenna explained, “I want a QB who can comport himself with excellence in the postseason… Daniels now has more playoff appearances as the next guy on this list — and more playoff wins.” The Washington Commanders shocked the NFL world last season with how good they were, nearly making a Super Bowl run in Jayden Daniels’ rookie year. They’ve made moves this offseason to show they’re serious about getting to Levi’s Stadium in February. Looking ahead, the latest College Football Network mock draft has them doubling down on offense.

With Daniels’ mobility, the running back position becomes even more valuable, especially if the team wants to preserve his health for the long haul. He quickly proved he belongs in the upper tier of NFL quarterbacks, but he’ll only stay there if the Commanders continue to build smartly around him. Holding the 27th pick in the 2026 CSN mock draft, the Commanders select Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton. The Big Ten is no joke, and it’s hard to see a scenario where Singleton doesn’t hear his name called on Day 1. The CSN Mock Draft notes Singleton could have been a Day 2 pick in 2025, but chose to return to school. Singleton stands 6-foot, 227 pounds and is heading into his fourth year at Penn State.

As a freshman in 2022, he made a splash with 156 carries for 1,061 yards and 12 touchdowns. He didn’t show many rookie nerves either — his longest run that season was 87 yards. But 2023 was a step back. Despite getting 15 more carries, Singleton’s yardage dropped by nearly 300, finishing the season with just 752 yards. His touchdowns dipped to eight, and his yards per carry dropped from 6.8 to 4.4. 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. Trading for Laremy Tunsil gave his offensive line a big boost, but rookie Josh Conerly needs more reps before he's a quality option at the other tackle spot. It might also be advisable for Washington to look for better options at guard through free agency or next year's draft. Last season, Jayden Daniels burst on the scene in a big way for the Washington Commanders after being drafted No. 2 overall. While many are ready to crown him the next big thing at the position, one analyst feels things are being handed to him a bit too soon.

When a team drafts a quarterback that high, they hope he can be a pillar for the franchise for years to come. Washington didn't have to wait long to see Daniels prove himself, as he put together one of the top rookie campaigns from a QB in league history. While navigating his first year in the pros, he nearly helped the Commanders reach the Super Bowl. They pulled off a pair of upsets in the postseason, but their run came to an end against the Philadelphia Eagles in the conference championship. Following his impressive showing last year, the hype around Daniels has gone through the roof. Many have dubbed him one of the league's best QBs already, and personnel within the league tend to agree.

In ESPN's latest poll of the NFL's top ten quarterbacks, Daniels came in at No. 5. Some of the players he finished just ahead of include Matthew Stafford, Justin Herbert, and Jalen Hurts. Also read: Commanders Star Jayden Daniels Lands Notable Spot in Recent QB Rankings While appearing on First Take earlier this week, Peter Schrager gave his thoughts on Daniels being crowned a top-five QB after just one season. He feels such an honor is a bit premature, and he wants to see a little more from the Commanders' star before putting him in this conversation.

Ever since the Washington Commanders have been locked into the No. 2 overall pick, speculation has been rampant with just who the franchise will select at quarterback. While USC's Caleb Williams is the consensus No. 1 pick is thought to be going to the Chicago Bears, the Commanders have the entire draft class ahead of them to pick from. North Carolina's Drake Maye has been mocked to Washington several times, but LSU's Jayden Daniels going to Washington is also getting traction, and in ESPN's mini mock draft, the dual-threat star spearheads the new... "Considering the QBs whom offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has had success with in the past, I like Daniels' dynamic ability as a downfield thrower and high-end dual threat in Washington," ESPN's Jordan Reid writes.

Washington has gotten its free agency period off to a good start, plugging several roster holes as Dan Quinn and Co. look to make their mark early. But for all of the signings made along the offensive and defensive lines, along with running back Austin Ekeler, the Commanders have one position to fill.

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