NFL Draft

Commanders first-round NFL draft pick Jayden Daniels dazzles with masterclass on MNF

The Washington Commanders appear to have landed a superstar in first-round NFL draft selection Jayden Daniels. He was sensational on Monday Night Football.

Jesse Reed

Sep 23, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Sep 23, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images / Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
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There is little doubt that the Washington Commanders have a genuine superstar in rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The 2024 NFL Draft first-round pick showed his skills off in a major way in primetime on Monday Night Football.

Already up 14-10 in the second quarter, Daniels showed off his cannon of an arm with the longest pass of his collegiate or professional career. Check out the timing and precision on this 55-yard strike to Terry McLaurin.

One play later, Daniels capped the drive off with a four-yard touchdown scamper.

That was just the start of the show. Daniels continued to make excellent decisions and led one of the most impressive game-sealing touchdown drives in the fourth quarter we've seen in a while.

All told, Daniels passed for 254 yards on 21-of-23 passing, tallying two touchdowns and zero turnovers. He earned a passer rating of 141.7 and averaged a gaudy 11 yards per attempt. The rookie also ran for 39 yards and a touchdown and was the best player on the field Monday night.

Daniels also made NFL history for his accuracy, posting the highest completion percentage for a rookie. Ever.

Beyond the stats, which are impressive enough, Daniels showed poise and maturity beyond his years. The Commanders clearly believe in him. There were multiple big moments in the game in which offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury put everything on Daniels' shoulders. And he delivered.

The No. 2 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft made a very loud statement on Monday night. It's not hard to imagine there will be many more to come in the future.

In a league full of bright and shining stars, Daniels proved he can glimmer as bright as anyone in the NFL. He's clearly the leader at this point for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. And after leading the Commanders to a 2-1 record to open the season, Daniels has a chance to find greater glory still.

The next test for Washington and its brilliant first-round quarterback is a date with the feisty Arizona Cardinals in Week 4.

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Jesse Reed
JESSE REED

Jesse Reed is a passionate and avid NFL fan, first and foremost. He has been a professional writer for more than a decade with experience as a Managing Editor at Sportsnaut, where he was featured on Yardbarker and MSN.com. Previously, Jesse was a breaking news writer/NFL analyst for Bleacher Report.

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