Daniels Listed at No. 5 in 2025 Quarterbacks

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rodney Knuppel | Last updated Jul 14, 2025 11:25 AM ET

As the 2025 NFL season draws closer, storylines across the league continue to build. Rankings are popping up all over the internet, sparking plenty of discussion among fans.

One recent set of rankings came from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, who polled league executives, coaches and scouts.

The top four quarterbacks were no surprise: Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson. But the conversation heated up around the fifth spot.

Fowler's article listed Jayden Daniels at No. 5, which raised eyebrows. Some questioned whether Daniels should be ahead of Jalen Hurts, who helped lead the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl win last season.

The panel on "Get Up" debated the topic on Monday morning.

Fowler joined the show to explain why Daniels ranked so high.

"What he did last year was crazy. I heard the same line from several coordinators who prepared for Daniels. They said he single-handedly carried a franchise that had been one of the worst in the NFL. He had one legit wide receiver, a 34-year-old tight end and an average-at-best offensive line, and still took them to the NFC Championship game in Year 1."

"People aren't forecasting a sophomore slump for him. They're forecasting more success. More numbers." Fowler added.

When Damien Woody was asked whether Daniels deserved to be ranked that high after just one season, he didn't hold back.

"[Expletive] right I do."

Daniels, the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year, threw for 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season, completing 69% of his passes. In the postseason, he went 75-of-114 with five touchdowns and one interception.

The biggest debate centered on Hurts being ranked ninth.

"The easiest place to play quarterback last year was Philadelphia, no doubt about that." ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky said.

Orlovsky believes Hurts could move up a spot or two but wouldn't place him ahead of Daniels.

Daniels and the Commanders open their season on Sept. 7 at home against the New York Giants. Hurts and the Eagles kick off the NFL season on Sept. 4 when they host the Dallas Cowboys.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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