Before the pick is announced, I’ll go on record as saying three months ago I was all I on Jayden Daniels. But I’ve psyched myself out on him, probably overrating the risks that he may be too slim and will take too many sacks, like Howell. I’m in on Drake Maye, who I think has unlimited potential.
We shall see!
This was a bad take.
I thought Jayden Daniel's shiftiness would be a step too slow in the NFL. I was worried about the fact he was surrounded by not just good college talent but elite NFL-level talent at the skill positions at both Arizona State and LSU.
He's been awesome. Even if I'm still a tad worried by the hits, I've been impressed by how he's done protecting himself and I expect him to get even better. He's simply faster and quicker than many defenders. And he has done really well taking what defenses are giving him versus forcing it. I know defenses will eventually figure him out, but he already looks like an experienced game manager and doesn't get frustrated throwing lots of screens and dump offs. Right now, he has one top 15 WR and a decent running game. This skill position group isn't out talenting people. Jayden Daniels just looks very good. And I trust he'll adjust when defenses start figuring him out better.
Can we also discuss for a minute how much better Kingsbury is than Bieniemy? Daniels is averaging 25 attempts a game, I think Sam Howell had one game he played a full 60 minutes with less attempts. Sam Howell was ask to lead an offense that led the league in attempts and in pass to rush ratio at the same time the defense was crumbling. Kingsbury sees a struggling defense and young QB and is caling lots of short passes, RPOs, and we're run first on early downs to give Daniels some more low leverage situations. Sam Howell was throw, throw, throw with an occasional second down handoff if we he was lucky.
Commanders clearly made the right move with going to Daniels, but I'd bet a lot of money an impossible to prove bet that Sam Howell would be playing significantly better this season than last if was asked to do what Daniels is asked.
