Jayden Daniels' impressive start to his NFL career is already drawing comparisons to reigning MVP Lamar Jackson. He's also earning the respect of another dual-threat quarterback: Kyler Murray.
Daniels dominated Murray's Arizona Cardinals in a near-flawless performance last month, completing 26 of 30 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 47 yards and another score. Washington walloped Arizona, 42-14, and is off to a 4-2 team that has them surprisingly at the top of the NFC East.
Daniels leads the Commanders against the lowly Carolina Panthers Sunday at Northwest Stadium.
The similarities are undeniable. Murray won the Heisman Trophy, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and - using his athleticism to extend plays or escape the pocket - and was Offensive Rookie of Year and has since made two Pro Bowls. Daniels won the Heisman, was the No. 2 overall pick and has already won Offensive Player of the Week while smashing rookie completion percentage records.
The biggest difference: Daniels is 6-foot-4; Murray only 5-10.
“He’s going to be a great player, he’s having a special year as a rookie,” Murray said this week on the This is Football podcast. “Statistically one of the best in the league right now as far as how he’s playing. I think it's the mobility. When you’re on the sideline vs. the guy that has the dual threat ability that can extend plays, it’s not a good feeling when a guy can extend plays with his feet. I know I can do that to the other team, he can do that to us. That makes you stay up at night as a defensive coordinator."
Maybe Kyler hasn't gotten the memo yet. But most NFL analysts are confident that Daniels will quickly surpass the Cardinals' quarterback as he head toward more Lamar comparisons.
