Commanders Qb Jayden Daniels Named Top Standout Among His Peers

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Nov 17, 2025, 4:10 AM

commanders qb jayden daniels named top standout among his peers

When it comes to the best up-and-coming talent in the NFL right now, Jayden Daniels deserves a mention. Following an impressive rookie campaign, the Washington Commanders QB finds himself with a favorable ranking among his counterparts in the league. It did not take long for Daniels to show the Commanders they made the right decision by drafting him No. 2 overall. His combination of speed and throwing ability had an immediate impact on the offense, resulting in them winning 12 games and securing a postseason berth. Daniels then showed he wasn't scared of the big stage, leading Washington all the way to the NFC Championship game.

Ahead of the 2025 season, the people at FanDuel Sportsbook ranked the top second and third-year quarterbacks in the NFL. Daniels was named the best standout from this group, beating out players such as CJ Stroud, Caleb Williams, and JJ McCarthy. Read more: Former Washington QB Utters Vote of Confidence for Jayden Daniels Looking around at the other young QBs in the NFL, Stroud is the only player with a real case to dethrone Daniels. Ironically enough, these two quarterbacks are the last two winners of Offensive Rookie of the Year. 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. 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. When the Washington Commanders drafted quarterback Jayden Daniels, they knew they were getting something special; but no one could have predicted this level of success so quickly The Commanders have officially entered a new era with Daniels who has been ranked No.

21 on the NFL’s Top 100 Players list for 2025. For a player entering just his second season, his placement shows just how impactful Daniels has been on the league and the Washington. Daniels is quickly becoming one of the biggest stories in football. NFL Top 100 Players of 2025: @Commanders QB Jayden Daniels makes his first appearance on this list at No. 21! @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/A0Hu4FSZ7F

The Commanders drafted Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he wasted no time proving why he was worthy of that selection. Daniels put together a rookie season for the ages, completing 69 percent of his passes for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns. On the ground, he led Washington in rushing with 891 yards while adding six more scores with his legs. That dual-threat ability reshaped the Commanders’ offense and gave the franchise a legitimate star to build around. 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.” Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels truly took the league by storm in his rookie campaign. He put on a show that changed the entire mindset around the Commanders' organization, and he was rewarded with Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, among other things. Most recently, Pro Football Network named Daniels the top-ranked second-year quarterback in 2025.

After winning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors last season, Jayden Daniels enters the 2025 season as the NFL’s best second-year quarterback, and it’s not particularly close. His rookie campaign with the Washington Commanders was historic and set the tone for the franchise’s upward trajectory. Daniels wasn’t just one of the best rookie quarterbacks in 2024. He was one of the best in the NFL, period. Daniels passed the eye test and had the stats to back it up as well. The Heisman Trophy winner threw for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns, showing the ability to command a high-volume passing offense with 480 attempts and over 600 dropbacks, both inside the top 15 in the...

Daniels was also a dual threat, leading all quarterbacks with 891 rushing yards on 148 carries, breaking the rookie QB rushing record. Daniels ranked ninth in PFSN’s QB+ metric. He finished eighth in the NFL in EPA per dropback (0.15), ninth from a clean pocket (0.30 EPA/DB), and sixth when under pressure (-0.11 EPA/DB). Daniels’ importance to this team is emphasized by the fact that his lowest grades last year all came in losses, while the 12 wins came in the 13 games where he finished with a... When Daniels played well, the Commanders won more often than not. When he struggled, they struggled.

That also helps make the case for why he was a fringe MVP candidate at times in 2024. Entering 2025, Daniels is in a great position to build on his impressive rookie campaign. The Commanders upgraded their offensive line, added depth at skill positions, and are committed to tailoring the offense around his strengths. Last season, one of the biggest storylines in the NFC was the instant breakout from Jayden Daniels. Following an impressive rookie campaign with the Washington Commanders, the young QB continues to receive praise from his peers. After being taken with the No.

2 overall pick in the 2024 draft, the Commanders wasted no time putting Daniels in a starting role. This proved to be a smart decision, as he quickly altered the trajectory of the franchise. Along with throwing for over 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns, Daniels led Washington all the way to the NFC Championship game. Coming off such a strong first year in the NFL, the hype around Daniels has quickly skyrocketed. Among the most recent people to give him his flowers is a star-level talent within his own division. Also read: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels Named Top Standout Among his Peers

Earlier this week, Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs linked up with viral streamer N3on. During his appearance, he was posed with the question of naming his top five quarterbacks in the NFL right now. The Commanders spent the second overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft on Jayden Daniels, hoping the LSU product would quickly establish himself as a franchise quarterback. He is off to a good start in his quest to prove Washington right. Commanders coach Dan Quinn officially named Daniels the team's Week 1 starter on Monday, Aug. 19.

"As much as we knew Jayden would get there, Adam [Peters] and I were most excited about watching how he would," Quinn said of Daniels emerging as the starting quarterback. "The how has been absolutely outstanding. "He went through the whole thing," Quinn added. "He didn't miss a beat. He hit the targets that we had put in front of him. We talked about the practices against other teams, the games — he's ready and he's earned the right to do that."

Commanders Qb Jayden Daniels Named Top Standout Among His Peers

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