Good fortune can help Commanders QB Jayden Daniels excel in 2024

Those around the league are starting to believe the Washington Commanders have something special on their hands with Jayden Daniels. The quarterback's exceptional final college campaign coupled with a seamless transition to the pros heightened expectations to levels not seen in the nation's capital for some time. Coping with the pressure will be challenging, but it's nothing the promising signal-caller isn't ready for.

Daniels has all the tools one looks for in a franchise quarterback. He's confident, can impact the game by throwing the football or getting out on the run, and boasts the mechanics needed to get the ball out quickly with supreme accuracy at all three levels of the field.

He also needs a little bit of luck along the way.

Commanders need Jayden Daniels to stay healthy in 2024

Adam Rank from NFL.com was the latest to proclaim his excitement around Daniels. The analyst noted optimism such as this hasn't been evident in Washington since the days of Robert Griffin III. He's also hoping the former LSU star enjoys more luck on the health front in pursuit of taking the league by storm immediately.

"The Commanders have had 12 starting quarterbacks since 2018, which is the highest total in the NFL in that span, and they're about to name a new Week 1 starting QB for the seventh consecutive season. Presuming [Jayden] Daniels gets the gig, though, this will be the first time in years Washington fans actually feel true hope at the game's most important position. In 2023, Daniels led the FBS with 4,946 total yards and won the Heisman Trophy. He threw for 40 touchdowns last year, with just four interceptions. And he added 10 rushing scores. Daniels is the first quarterback drafted by Washington with a top-10 pick since Robert Griffin III in 2012, and he's delivering the same type of excitement that RGIII did back then. I know a lot of fantasy people will be drafting him like they drafted Anthony Richardson last year. Hopefully, unlike Griffin and Richardson, Daniels enjoys a clean bill of health in Year 1."

- Adam Rank, NFL.com

This is the primary key above all else.

Much has been made of Daniels' slender frame and how it might cope with NFL-caliber punishment. His exceptional mobility and pocket navigation should keep him out of harm's way. But the Commanders must do their part by coaching up his sliding technique and making sure the offensive line is up to the required standard.

That's a huge concern. The Commanders reinforced the interior with Tyler Biadasz and Nick Allegretti to go alongside 2023 breakout star Sam Cosmi. Washington's offensive tackle positions are less stable, with Andrew Wylie and Cornelius Lucas set to occupy the edges as things stand. Those in power are hoping third-round pick Brandon Coleman develops into a potential starter, but it's a big gamble whichever way one looks at it.

The Commanders made a hefty investment in Daniels. They're supremely confident he can spearhead Washington's ambitious project and drag this storied organization back to respectability. Fans can start dreaming of postseason contention and getting themselves into the Super Bowl picture if everything clicks into place as anticipated.

All this newfound optimism comes crashing to an abrupt halt if Daniels suffers injury problems. He's the next big thing. The great hope at football's most critical position. Losing him for any length of time is going to have severe repercussions despite the confidence within the building around veteran backup Marcus Mariota.

A few alterations to Daniels' approach should minimize the risk. After that, it's all systems go.