The Washington Commanders made the clear intentions they want to play fast in 2024, hence why Jayden Daniels got taken second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Daniels, though, could be even faster on the field than originally anticipated. Here’s a closer look at the explosive speed of the rookie quarterback.
Jayden Daniels Showing Uncanny Speed in NFL Debut
Before he threw his first league pass, or even took the ball and ran it himself, Daniels was described as a “turbocharged athlete with rare speed, lateral agility, bend, and evasive twitch” by PFN’s Ian Cummings ahead of the draft.
Daniels has immediately shown his “turbocharged” side in an NFL setting — zipping past defenders for 132 total rushing yards through two regular-season games. He also didn’t take long to lead all rookie QBs in rushing yardage after Week 1.
Jayden Daniels has the most rushing yards for any rookie QB in a Week 1 debut since 2000 🔥 pic.twitter.com/p54cMbcNhU
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) September 8, 2024
Through the first two games, Daniels is most dangerous on scrambles during third downs. He’s averaging nine yards a carry and converting first downs on 60% of his runs on third downs, according to TruMedia. There’s also early chatter that he could become the first rookie QB in league history to top 1,000 rushing yards.
But the nation has witnessed Daniels’ speed before in an ultra-competitive setting, becoming witness to the jaw-dropping velocity Daniels clocked.
Reel Analytics timed Daniels on his 85-yard gallop in a Nov. 2023 Southeastern Conference (SEC) battle against Florida. Daniels nearly hit 22 mph — topping out at a speed of 21.8.
College Football’s Fastest Five of the Week:
2. @LSUfootball QB Jayden Daniels (@JayD__5) 21.8 mph #ReelSpeed
🎥: @ESPNCFB pic.twitter.com/2gKH9f4LVG
— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) November 13, 2023
That makes Daniels faster than coyotes, who are known to top out at 20 mph with their speed. But is the first-year starting quarterback already the fastest player in the league?
Examining Daniels’ Place Among League’s Fastest Players
Daniels’ speed has certainly improved from his first collegiate stop at Arizona State, where he ran a 4.5 40-yard dash.
He’s already considered one of the league’s speediest players. But here’s a list of fastest players in the NFL, according to Next Gen Stats:
- Nico Collins, Houston Texans: The wide receiver hit a speed of 21.89 miles per hour on his 55-yard reception in the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1.
- Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles: The veteran running back, who’s in his first season with the Eagles, hit a speed of 21.66 mph on his 65-yard touchdown against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
- Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns: The running back reached a speed of 21.29 mph on his 36-yard scoring scamper versus the Jacksonville Jaguars during Week 2.
Those are the top three fastest clocked speeds among active NFL players this season. Daniels is yet to join this list or even break off a truly long run — his longest scamper so far is just 17 yards on a QB keeper.
However, say Daniels’ long 85-yard touchdown run in 2023 came in an NFL setting. That 21.8 mark would’ve likely tied him with Collins for fastest run in the league.
Make no mistake about it though, the Commanders have one of the league’s fleetest players on their roster. Daniels has already shown flashes of his dynamics as a runner.
It’s only a matter of time before the league watches Daniels break loose for a long scoring run — and show the 21-22 mph speed he possesses.