Washington Commanders raving about Jayden Daniels behind the scenes

The Washington Commanders couldn’t be more pleased with Jayden Daniels through rookie minicamp, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Daniels won the Heisman Trophy last season with the best year of his career. It vaulted him up the draft boards and Washington couldn’t pass up on its chance at a franchise quarterback.

Perhaps the Commanders finally cracked the code with Daniels.

“The Commanders are very pleased with their pick, number two overall Jayden Daniels because they’re saying all the right things publicly about how he studies, works hard, all those things,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “When you talk to people in Washington privately they say we got ourselves a dude. Finally. After the carousel spinning in this position for so many years, but there’s talk about at rookie minicamp, the ball barely touched the ground, if at all. 

“Because of all the completions, the quick arm release has really stood out. Compact thrower, like there’s a good feeling right now, they gotta play the games of course, but high praise so far for Jayden Daniels. Should step in right away as a starter.”

Last year at LSU, Daniels threw for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, four interceptions, a 72.2% completion percentage, 1,134 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.

Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury raved about Daniels’ work to this point. Expect big numbers in the system.

“He’s intentional in everything he does, which I like,” Kingsbury said. “That’s what we had heard about him coming up. And that’s what he’s been since he’s been here. He’s focused, intentional, and got to work. So that’s been fun to be around.”

Kingsbury also noted how Daniels does his prep, as Fowler alluded to. After all, Kingsbury was a record-setting college quarterback who played in the NFL. Kingsbury knows the position from the perspective of a player, coordinator and head coach.

“He has a plan for studying,” Kingsbury said. “He has a plan for practice. (And) he has a plan for watching film. He knows what he wants to be and where he wants to go. To be that young and come in there with that mindset is real encouraging.”

In a division that’s competitive with the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at the top with established starters, the Commanders had to make a move. Daniels seems to be the right choice in the early going.