Jayden Daniels' blunt Stefon Diggs assessment should excite Commanders

The Washington Commanders knew exactly what Stefon Diggs could do on a football field when they signed him in August. After spending a little more than a month with him, Jayden Daniels is finding out there is quite a bit more to the veteran receiver.

Daniels was asked Wednesday at a news conference after practice what he has learned about Diggs since the two began working together. He didn't need many words to explain it.

“Football IQ. Very savvy. Great vet. Great guy in the locker room. Great locker room guy. Super competitive. He's a dog, man,” Daniels said. “He wants the best, not from just himself, but from everyone around him too.”

Stefon Diggs has made an early impression on Jayden Daniels

That's quite the endorsement after roughly a month together. Diggs didn't arrive in Washington needing to prove he could still play. He did that last season in New England, catching 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns while helping the Patriots reach the Super Bowl.

The Commanders needed another proven receiver alongside Terry McLaurin, and Diggs gave them one. The bigger question was how quickly everything else would come together.

Washington signed Diggs in early August, leaving Daniels and his newest weapon only about a month to get on the same page before Week 1. That isn't much time for a quarterback and receiver who had never played together.

Apparently, it was enough time for Daniels to form a strong opinion. Diggs' production will ultimately determine whether the signing works. Washington didn't bring him home just to be popular in the locker room. Still, Daniels pointing immediately toward Diggs' football IQ and competitiveness says plenty about how the relationship has started.

Commanders could get more than another weapon from Stefon Diggs

Diggs has played 11 NFL seasons, made four Pro Bowls and topped 1,000 receiving yards seven times. He's seen just about everything an NFL defense can throw at a receiver. Daniels now gets to tap into that experience while also throwing to him on Sundays.

There's another part of Daniels' answer that shouldn't get lost. Diggs doesn't only demand the best from himself. According to Daniels, he's already pushing for it from the people around him. That's useful for a young Washington offense trying to take another step with Daniels.

The Commanders took a relatively inexpensive gamble when they signed Diggs to a one-year deal worth up to $12 million. If he gives Daniels another reliable target, Washington will be happy with the investment. If the competitiveness Daniels is already seeing spreads throughout the offense, they may have gotten a little more than they bargained for.