Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels burst onto the scene last year, solidifying himself as the undisputed greatest rookie quarterback in NFL history. He took a four-win Commanders team to 12 wins and the NFC Championship Game. What can Daniels do as a follow-up? Should fantasy football managers be willing to invest an early-round pick in him?
Jayden Daniels Fantasy Outlook
For a few years now, the quartet of Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, and Patrick Mahomes has largely been impenetrable as the top quarterbacks in fantasy. We’ve seen guys like Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert knock at the door, but those four have been solid at the top. Now, the landscape has shifted a bit, and I think it’s here to stay.
With Mahomes taking a step back as an elite fantasy producer, an opening emerged in the “Big Four” quarterbacks. Daniels immediately staked his claim to that spot.
As a rookie, Daniels was the premier late-round QB option. His QB10ish ADP was pretty lofty, but justified based on his upside. It didn’t mean he would necessarily reach it, though … but he did.
Daniels lit the world on fire immediately, posting 28.2 fantasy points in the first game of his career. The train never stopped, as Daniels cruised to a runaway Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. He averaged 21.5 points per game, finishing as the overall QB5. Only Cam Newton and Justin Herbert had better rookie seasons from a fantasy perspective.
What’s even more impressive about Daniels’ performance is that he did it without a great supporting cast. Terry McLaurin is a WR1, but not one of the elites. Behind McLaurin, the Commanders had a number of role players, including Noah Brown, Dyami Brown, and Olamide Zaccheaus. Their TE1 was a 34-year-old Zach Ertz.
This is when we knew Jayden Daniels was that guy. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hJxRP3phVn
— Zac (@DCzWall) May 25, 2025
Now, Daniels has a full year of NFL experience. Plus, the offense added Deebo Samuel. While I think the days of Samuel mattering in fantasy are over, he’s still an upgrade on everything the Commanders had other than McLaurin last season.
What makes Daniels so elite is his rushing. That’s not to scoff at his passing numbers. He completed 69% of his throws as a rookie. However, we need that rushing juice in fantasy, and Daniels has it in spades.
Daniels averaged 52.4 rushing yards per game, scoring six times on the ground. At just 24 years old, fantasy managers don’t need to worry about his coaches telling him to run less. It’s part of what makes him great.
Should You Take the Risk on Daniels Over RB and WR Talent?
With all that said, we’ve seen QBs with strong rookie seasons unable to follow up. It happened last year with C.J. Stroud.
Fortunately, I don’t think we have to worry about that with Daniels. He has all the makings of an elite fantasy QB for the next six to eight years.
Daniels’ ADP is all the way up at QB3, only a handful of spots behind Allen and Jackson. For Daniels to be worth selecting at that spot, he has to be able to do what those two do. Well, I think he can.
There are some really good running backs and wide receivers available at the spot where you have to take Daniels. A few years ago, I would scoff at the notion that you should take a QB this early. Now, it comes down to how high you are on the running backs and wide receivers.
If there are RBs and WRs you really like that you believe to have top-five upside, it’s hard to push the button on Daniels. At the same time, I have completely come around on the value of an elite quarterback.
Ultimately, fantasy football is a weekly game. Big-time performances are what swing matchups. I would argue that Daniels had seven week-winning games last season, including posting his two best fantasy outings of the season in the two most important weeks: 16 and 17. He is going to win you multiple matchups on his own.
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I believe several late-round QBs have a chance to return rookie-year-Daniels-like value this season. Last year, you could’ve drafted Allen or Hurts early, and you would’ve been thrilled with their production. But the optimal strategy was to pass on them and get Daniels six rounds later.
If you miss out on Daniels or opt to go with a WR or RB, that’s perfectly fine. I want you to know that if you decide to take Daniels in a spot that seems early for a QB, you should do it and feel good about it.
Frank Ammirante’s Jayden Daniels Fantasy Projection
Jayden Daniels did even better than his most prominent supporters could have imagined in his rookie season, leading the Commanders to the NFC Championship while finishing as QB5 in fantasy points per game. It’s worth noting that Daniels left in the first quarter against the Panthers. So those numbers could have looked even better.
This is a polished passer with the ability to rush for 1,000 yards – call him “Lamar Jackson of the NFC.” There’s no reason to expect regression in Year 2, as the Commanders significantly upgraded their offensive line, trading for stud offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and using their first-rounder on another tackle in Josh Conerly Jr.
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Let’s also not underestimate the impact of continuity, with Kliff Kingsbury returning as playcaller for another season. If veteran receiver Deebo Samuel can show that he still has some juice left, you could argue that Daniels has a chance to improve on his rookie numbers.
Needless to say, Daniels is an elite option at quarterback, slotting in as QB3 behind Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson only because of their track records. There’s a path for Daniels to lead the scoring position this season.
