The Washington Commanders once again have hooked their star to a dual-threat quarterback coming off a Heisman Trophy to aid in the rebuilding process of their franchise.
The Commanders selected LSU quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels Thursday night with the second pick.
It is their first time taking a quarterback in the first round since they took the late Dwayne Haskins at No. 15 out of Ohio State University in 2019.
Daniels joins Haskins, Robert Griffin III (also No. 2), Jason Campbell, Patrick Ramsey and Heath Shuler as the franchise’s first-round quarterback draft picks in the Super Bowl era.
Embed from Getty ImagesDaniels threw for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and four interceptions in 2023. On the ground, he is absolutely electric, rushing for 1,134 yards and 10 scores. In his final three games, he threw for 1,020 yards and 13 touchdowns to lock up the Heisman.
He led the Tigers to a 9-3 record, overcoming a defense that gave up the second-most yards and third-most points per game in the SEC.
The Commanders went with Sam Howell, their 2022 fifth-round pick, last season out of North Carolina, and he started all 17 games. But he led the NFL with an unacceptable 21 interceptions and threw for 3,946 yards in a 4-13 season.
Assuming Daniels starts right away in Week 1, he will be surrounded by plenty of talent on the offensive side of the ball. He will be throwing to receivers Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, and the team also signed running back Austin Ekeler from the Los Angeles Chargers and tight end Zach Ertz in new owner Josh Harris’ first offseason.
Washington fired head coach Ron Rivera and replaced him with Dan Quinn, former defensive coordinator of their arch rival Dallas Cowboys, which figures to improve the defense by leaps and bounds.
The Commanders also have the 36th and 40th selections, which will not be made until Friday night in the second round. But it is also some valuable capital to move up to make another selection before the first round wraps up Thursday.
