Jayden Daniels is yet to start his third NFL game, and already there’s the feeling he’ll have his name plastered on some league records.
The Washington Commanders‘ dual-threat quarterback only needed two games to show his flair for dynamics. In the process, the league has been put on notice that Daniels could shatter a record held by a former franchise legend, plus another claimed by a multiple Most Valuable Player winner.
Jayden Daniels Pursuing Two Notable Rookie Records
While Daniels has thrown for 410 passing yards, it’s his rushing yardage total that has piqued the interest of fans monitoring rookie records.
The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner from LSU is entering his Week 3 Monday Night Football matchup against the Bengals with 132 rushing yards. That means Daniels is already averaging 5.1 yards per carry and 66 rushing yards per game. But the rookie passer has also carried the football 26 times total — giving him an average of 13 carries per contest.
At this rate, Daniels has positioned himself to top the NFL rookie-QB carries record. Back in 2012, Robert Griffin III tallied 120 carries and led the league with 6.8 yards per rushing attempt — which ultimately led to his NFL Rookie of the Year nod. Lamar Jackson, however, shattered Griffin’s mark with 147 during his 2018 rookie season — and that was during a year Jackson started only seven games.
Given that Daniels is operating in a 17-game schedule, he’s officially on pace to surpass Jackson’s total. By staying healthy, Daniels will hit 221 carries to set the new mark.
But it’s not just that record Daniels could be eyeing. Griffin still holds the league record for most rushing yards by a rookie QB — 815 — in the 2012 campaign. Daniels could end up as the NFL’s first-ever 1,000-yard rushing rookie quarterback, as he’s currently on pace to surpass 1,120 yards.
Rookie QB Jayden Daniels is off to a strong start for the @Commanders & ready to make his primetime debut on #MNF
On Monday Night Countdown, Daniels sits down with @notthefakeSVP to talk about his young #NFL career & the iconic D.C. QBs whose footsteps he hopes to follow in pic.twitter.com/bujSihtzXF
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) September 23, 2024
What Type of Defenses Will Daniels See the Rest of 2024?
Whether Daniels can rewrite both records currently held by Griffin and Jackson will largely hinge on his health.
But fans also have to take into account what kind of defenses Daniels will see getting thrown at him for the rest of the season.
Signs are currently pointing toward Daniels having little trouble using his legs for his forthcoming game against the Bengals. Cincy is currently ranked 29th in rushing yards allowed after surrendering 170 to the New England Patriots and 149 to the Kansas City Chiefs.
His subsequent opponent, the Arizona Cardinals, hasn’t fared much better versus the run. Arizona currently ranks 18th against ground attacks and just allowed 187 rushing yards to the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Daniels likely won’t officially get his mobility tested until Week 5 against the Cleveland Browns. While the Browns’ defense has surrendered 127 yards or less in the first three games, it still ranks 13th against the run.
The biggest test for Daniels, though, will be the Oct. 13 interconference battle with the Baltimore Ravens — who currently have the NFL’s top rushing defense by surrendering only 50 yards per game.
Daniels could soon face more schemes that load the box with up to nine defenders. At some point, Daniels will likely want to improve his current average of 205 passing yards per game, especially if the Commanders want to contend for the NFC East title.
Regardless, Daniels is already putting the league on notice that he could eventually be putting his name on two notable records.