How Jayden Daniels compares to Patrick Mahomes, other elite QBs

Washington Commanders star Jayden Daniels had, perhaps, the greatest season for a rookie quarterback in NFL history in 2024. How does he top it?

Cementing himself among the league's top signal-callers would do that. An AFC executive believes he's already on the verge of doing so. 

Exec. reveals what Commanders star shares with Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and other elite QBs

Per Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, they said Daniels is already in the same tier as Mahomes, Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen and Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow. All of them have guided their teams to conference championship games. 

"There's definitely a gap," the executive said. "Those four are very consistent. Most years, I'd put Mahomes or Lamar one or two. But Burrow's right there, and Allen's the MVP of the league. Jayden is the one as I see as having a chance to get there. Where he's going, you assume the arrow's going to keep pointing up. And the reason I'd put Jayden up there is because of how I think about it — those five, if you include Jayden, are really tough to play against." 

Daniels' combination of accuracy and mobility makes him a nightmare for defensive coordinators. Last season, the second pick of the 2024 NFL Draft had the league's sixth-highest completion percentage (69% in 17 starts). He also rushed for 891 yards and six touchdowns on 148 carries. 

The Arizona State/LSU product has been taking steps to ensure he avoids a second-year decline. The QB has said he worked on throwing harder and farther this offseason. 

The Commanders, meanwhile, have continued to bolster Daniels' supporting cast. They traded for wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil this offseason. Additionally, Washington signed WR Terry McLaurin to a three-year, $96M extension last week.

It seems Daniels should stay on an upward trajectory this season. Perhaps he'll guide Washington to another NFC Championship Game and vie for league MVP.

As of Wednesday, FanDuel Sportsbook gives him the fifth-best odds (+1000) to win the award. If he did that, it would be hard to argue he's not in the Mahomes-Allen-Burrow-Jackson tier.