5 bold predictions for Commanders QB Jayden Daniels in Week 1 at Buccaneers

Jayden Daniels throws a pick, but scores a TD on the next drive

Jayden Daniels is supremely talented. He's also going to go through some rough stages in games. That will be especially evident over the opening few fixtures as he acclimatizes to a competitive, professional environment.

The LSU product is a sound decision-maker, but every rookie quarterback gets confused by coverages at some stage. Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles is a sound defensive mind who'll be conjuring up ways to make life extremely uncomfortable for the No. 2 pick on his NFL regular season debut.

Daniels will make mistakes. That's all part of the learning process. What's important for the first-year pro is responding positively in the face of adversity. That's going to be the key component behind a profitable Year 1 for the player.

With this topic in mind, we're predicting that Daniels will throw an interception at the Buccaneers. We're also going bold and projecting a touchdown on the very next drive.

Jayden Daniels leads the Commanders to a last-gasp victory

One thing that separates the top-level quarterbacks from the rest is coming through late in games. This is when the margins are tighter and every throw could prove to be the difference between winning and losing. That's when they thrive.

That's what the Commanders are expecting from Jayden Daniels. He demonstrated these traits throughout his prolific college career. It'll be more difficult in the pros. However, his poise, calm demeanor, and ability to focus on things one play at a time should serve him well.

This could be a close game between the Commanders and Buccaneers. It might come down to the final drives, which would pit Daniels directly against former No. 1 overall selection Baker Mayfield in the clutch.

Mayfield enjoyed a career renaissance last season and was rewarded handsomely with a bumper contract extension. Whether he can accomplish similar feats without previous offensive coordinator Dave Canales - who left to become Carolina Panthers head coach - is the big question.

If Daniels gets a chance to win the game late, he's got the tools to get Washington over the line in last-gasp fashion. Something that would officially announce him on the NFL stage.

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