Commanders 2024 midseason awards: Jayden Daniels blazes franchise-changing trail

Rookie of the Year - Brandon Coleman

Twelve offensive tackles were selected before Adam Peters took Brandon Coleman in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. That worried a lot of fans.

There were reports that Peters was interested in trading up into the back end of the first round to grab one of the eight edge protectors selected in Round No. 1. The front-office leader couldn’t find a deal he liked, so he waited.

Peters liked other players in the second round. He got Coleman, considered very athletic but a bit raw, at No. 67 overall.

At the midpoint in the season, the only rookie tackle with a higher Pro Football Ficus grade than Coleman is Joe Alt - the first selected in the draft.

Coleman is outperforming all the other tackles drafted ahead of him. The former TCU star has had the benefit of sharing the crucial left tackle spot with veteran Cornelius Lucas, which has allowed him a more gradual entrance into the NFL trenches. That was important because the first-year pro is as advertised - talented but raw.

Three things have stood out about the first half of his rookie campaign. First, he is playing tackle. That has not always been a given for Commanders' draftees in the past decade.

Many of them moved to guard because they could not function on an island, as tackles often must. Second, Coleman has improved week by week. And finally, the rookie passes the eye test.

Coleman looks like he belongs on the field. He is big, powerful, and moves the way top-tier tackles should. The third-rounder still has some growing to do, but his future is very bright.

Commanders Midseason MVP - Jayden Daniels

The success of the Washington Commanders over the first half of 2024 is not entirely attributable to their rookie quarterback. Plenty of other players have made major contributions. But let’s be honest - from the moment Jayden Daniels stepped onto the field - things have been different.

The numbers speak for themselves. Daniels is currently the third-ranked quarterback in Pro Football Focus’ player ratings. He is just ahead of some guy named Patrick Mahomes. He has achieved marks running and passing that only Lamar Jackson has equaled. The No. 2 pick has already had a legend-making moment with his Hail Mary at the end of Week 8 versus the Chicago Bears.

Daniels played a lot of high-level college football, so it may not be surprising how well he has adapted to the pro game. But no one could have predicted the preternatural poise he has shown.

He is reportedly the first one into the office during the week, studying film every available hour. Daniels always seems to be upbeat on the field, regardless of the situation. In other words, he not only has the skill - he has all the intangibles you look for in a modern NFL quarterback.

It is still very early in his career, and Washington fans all remember Robert Griffin III’s rookie season. But so far, Daniels is not only the team’s MVP. He is in the conversation for league MVP as well.

More Commanders news and analysis