3 elite traits quarterback Jayden Daniels brings to the Commanders

Jayden Daniels is the quarterback those in power chose to lead the Washington Commanders into their new era. The No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft immediately becomes the face of the franchise. Someone with electrifying intangibles needed to put fans in the stands and points on the board.

Daniels had plenty of speculation surrounding his intentions leading up to the draft. It didn't change the perception of general manager Adam Peters, who ignored the outside noise throughout and focused on finding the best possible signal-caller to take the team forward once Caleb Williams went to the Chicago Bears. In the Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU, the front-office leader believes he has that exact guy.

This could be the defining moment of Peters' tenure despite only being in the role briefly. If Daniels turns into what many expect, it could be the springboard behind bigger and better things for the Commanders. If not, then the ramifications will cause irreparable damage.

No prospect is a sure thing, in all honesty. That said, Peters' thorough assessments heading into such a pivotal decision should inspire a level of hope that the Commanders have found the correct man under center after years of mismanagement where football's most crucial position is concerned.

Now the move has been made, here are three elite traits Daniels adds to the Commanders.

Elite traits Jayden Daniels brings to the Commanders

Jayden Daniels' deep ball

While Jayden Daniels might not have the biggest arm in this class, it's more than sufficient to become a legitimate downfield threat. The LSU prospect gets the football to the third level with supreme conviction and accuracy. It helped that he was throwing to Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers, but it's hard not to be impressed with his quick release and ability to connect the football in-stride on deeper routes.

The Washington Commanders don't have many vertical threats on their roster currently. Adam Peters will likely add one at some stage during the draft from an exceptional wide receiver class. More importantly, the team now boasts a quarterback capable of setting the tone and gaining significant yards through the air quickly when opportunities arise.

There's much more to being a successful NFL quarterback. But in a world where splash plays reign supreme, there wasn't much better in college football last season when it came to downfield distribution.

Jayden Daniels' escapability

Jayden Daniels might not have the physical running style of quarterbacks such as Lamar Jackson and Cam Newton, but his threat to take off and gain significant yards on the ground will be something opposing defenses need to counteract on almost every snap. Of course, the Washington Commanders won't ask him to do it on every play, but it's a nice ace for offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury to have up his sleeve.

Daniels' poise in the pocket is exemplary. He keeps his eyes downfield and has no trouble going through progressions quickly. The signal-caller also boasts the reactionary skills to anticipate pressure arriving and evade it accordingly.

This is thanks in no small part to Daniels' on-field vision and footwork, which look NFL-ready. Once the player spots a seam or even the slightest hole, he's got the quickness to burst through, improvise when needed, and turn a potentially complicated situation into a bemusing chunk of yardage.

It's something becoming a common trend among most modern-day quarterbacks. The athleticism is growing at the position. There is still room for the prototypical pocket passer, but having this trait is going to make Daniels a nightmare to scheme against - something few in the SEC could counter effectively last season.

Daniels' knack to produce off-script has the potential to open things up elsewhere. Teams will need a quarterback spy at all times and a safety closer to the box. This opens up play-action opportunities and one-on-one outside looks - something that could reap significant rewards within Kingsbury's schematic, Air Raid-style concepts.

Not since Robert Griffin III have the Commanders boasted this sort of electric presence under center that gets fans off their seats. Hopefully, the Commanders can work on his ability to avoid big hits by sliding more effectively. His slender frame represents the only major concern, but it's also worth remembering Washington's strength and conditioning team already has a plan in place to build muscle mass gradually.

You won't be able to take your eyes off Daniels. But he is much, much more than a threat on the ground.

Jayden Daniels' decision-making

Jayden Daniels is a seasoned quarterback with plenty of college experience. He put his extra year of eligibility to good use, conjuring a campaign at LSU that will live through the ages. This propelled him up draft boards and eventually to the Washington Commanders at No. 2 overall.

Daniels improved in one area above all else last season. His decision-making came on leaps and bounds, completing 72.2 percent of his passes and throwing just four interceptions. He saw the field much better and despite playing in the ultra-competitive SEC, the game seemed to slow down for him.

The Commanders' new franchise player is a fluid mover. The combination of slick backdrops, impressive footwork, and compact throwing release makes everything look easy for Daniels. There is some slight refinement needed in terms of pocket poise, but the timing of his throws and ability to make the correct reads couldn't be more impressive.

Again, having wide receivers such as Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers creating separation at will didn't hurt. The margins will be a lot slimmer at the next level, but if Daniels continues progressing in this area of his game and perhaps even quickens his release, the Commanders are going to have an exceptional player on their hands.

Not everyone agreed with the decision, which is fine. Many thought Drake Maye had more long-term upside, but that's completely dismissing Daniels' meteoric improvements last season. The best part? He might only be scratching the surface of what he's truly capable of.

That's a scary thought for the NFL. If the Commanders can surround Daniels with the protection needed and prolific weapons in the passing game, it's hard to envisage a scenario where he fails to meet expectations.

The environment is everything, but the player's poise, ability to come through in critical moments, and the athletic intangibles needed to keep even the shrewdest defensive minds guessing mean this could be a sensational selection that defines Adam Peters' tenure when it's all said and done.