The Washington Commanders are gearing up to start training camp in July, with rookies reporting on the 18th and the highly anticipated Jayden Daniels era set to kick off. The Commanders will be holding camp at the OrthoVirginia Training Camp Center at Commanders Park in Ashburn, VA.
While Washington may not be the favorites in the NFC East, the buzz surrounding the team’s selection of Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick has been undeniable. The last time the Commanders took a quarterback in the top ten was back in 2012 with Robert Griffin III.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has reported that teams across the league are keeping a close eye on the Commanders’ rookie QB, with many feeling a sense of trepidation about the potential he possesses. Known for his dual-threat capabilities, Daniels is seen as having all the intangibles needed to blossom into a superstar in the league.
So why should the Commanders start Jayden Daniels in Week 1? Well, for starters, Daniels presents a unique challenge for opposing defenses as there is no professional film on him yet. This lack of familiarity could work to his advantage, allowing him to potentially take the league by storm much like he did when he claimed the Heisman Trophy in 2023 at LSU.
With a stat line that includes 3,812 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and 1,134 rushing yards in his Heisman-winning season, Daniels has proven that he has what it takes to dismantle defenses with his dual-threat capabilities. Additionally, the Commanders’ new offensive coordinator Kingsbury is expected to tailor the team’s offense to maximize Daniels’ strengths.
While Daniels has shown flashes of accuracy in his throwing, there is still room for improvement when it comes to his consistency under pressure. Working on fine-tuning his mechanics will be crucial for Daniels as he looks to make the transition from college standout to NFL starter.
The decision to start Jayden Daniels in Week 1 may not be the conventional choice, but it could be the best move for the Commanders as they look to compete now and build for the future. With the potential for Daniels to develop into a franchise quarterback, Washington may just have found their long-term solution under center.
