Commanders rookies impressed after QB Jayden Daniels' first practice: 'He's a stud'

The Commanders got their first on-field look at quarterback Jayden Daniels this weekend at rookie minicamp.

By all accounts, the No. 2 overall pick is impressing his fellow teammates.

“He’s a stud,” third-round wideout Luke McCaffrey said after Washington’s first rookie practice on Friday, via the team’s website.

“He’s kind of got that ‘it’ factor that you want in a quarterback,” remarked third-round tight end Ben Sinnott.

Daniels’ first practice as a Commander was light with it being a Day 1 installation of new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s system. As he acclimates to a new playbook and gets accustomed to new receivers, the 23-year-old said he was “trying to be a sponge and learn as much as possible.” However, he wasn’t going to take the moment for granted.

“It was a blessing. Trying to soak it all in,” Daniels said. “This was my first NFL practice — I was focusing on practice — but just that nine-year-old kid in me realizing that his dreams came true. Now I’m here, but I still have a long way to go.”

During 7-on-7 drills, the rookie QB completed all 12 of his pass attempts while also showcasing his arm strength.

“The ball placement, the arm talent he has — he has the ability to make every throw,” Sinnott said. “You see it all over the film, too. He can run, he can extend plays, create explosives with his legs, throw it 80 yards downfield and create a huge play in the passing game. He’s got all the intangibles and he’s a natural leader — a guy who brings his teammates together. I’m just very impressed with who he is and what type of player he is.”

McCaffrey caught the most of those passes in practice. As a former QB himself, the Rice product believes he’s been able to better understand Daniels in the early going.

“It’s a position that’s hard to understand unless you’ve played it,” McCaffrey said. “The biggest thing I’ve noticed is the communication aspect. You speak the same language … and that’s something going into rookie minicamp you try and get a head start on, because it’s a brand new language, a brand new system.”

Daniels was chosen to be Washington’s next franchise quarterback, and with that he carries the brunt of sky-high expectations. Before his official arrival earlier in the week, Daniels wasn’t worried about being named the starter just yet, saying that decision is “above me.”

But for a Commanders franchise hungry for success, Daniels recognizes why he was brought here. He’s just going to take things one day at a time as he prepares to become Washington’s saving grace.

“It’s a franchise that’s eager,” Daniels said. “… The DMV, this fanbase, everybody — they want to see wins, they want to see excitement, they want to see joy. Hopefully we can go out there and we can do it as a Commanders franchise, as a team. But that’s way down the road. We’re worried about rookie minicamp practice tomorrow.”