2024 NFL Redraft: Jayden Daniels Ranked No. 3

Redraft Overview

Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports recently revisited the 2024 NFL Draft with a “redraft” that focused on the six quarterbacks chosen in the first 12 picks. Four of those selections emerged as clear home runs: Caleb Williams (Bears), Jayden Daniels (Commanders), Drake Maye (Patriots) and Bo Nix (Broncos). The redraft highlights how quickly perceptions can shift, especially when evaluating rookie performance over time.

Brandon Aiyuk’s ongoing drama provides a tantalizing side story, but the numbers from the 2024 class speak louder than any off‑field headlines. The redraft also underscores the growing trend of teams trusting their drafted signal‑callers, even after early‑season hiccups.

Top Rookies Making Waves

Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix were the standout rookies of their class, with Daniels earning praise for arguably the greatest rookie season in NFL history and steering the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game. Drake Maye and Caleb Williams each took a significant leap, guiding the Patriots and Bears respectively into the postseason.

Maye’s breakthrough culminated in a Super Bowl appearance, while Williams helped his team clinch a playoff berth after a quieter rookie year. Nix led the Broncos to the AFC’s top seed, though a key injury derailed his postseason run. All four quarterbacks reshaped expectations for their franchises.

Commanders’ QB Concerns

In Pereles’ redraft, Daniels lands at No. 3 for the New England Patriots, despite Washington’s strong belief in his talent. Pereles notes that if Williams were chosen again, the Commanders would likely view him as a safe bet, highlighting his improved pocket awareness and lower turnover rate.

Daniels’ second‑year struggles—injuries, a dip in accuracy and less‑optimal surroundings—are weighed against his electric rookie campaign. Still, the Commanders appear ready to stick with him, echoing a league‑wide willingness to give young quarterbacks a longer runway.

Playoff Contrasting Performances

The 2025 playoffs showcased the divergent paths of the redraft’s top QBs. Maye’s Patriot squad reached the Super Bowl, though he posted a 58% completion rate with six touchdowns, four interceptions and seven fumbles, alongside an 82.2 QB rating and a 40 QBR.

Williams delivered a more modest statistical line: 52% completions, four touchdowns and five interceptions, complemented by a 65.9 QB rating and a 53.4 QBR. Daniels, missing the 2025 playoffs, looks back at his 2024 run—66% completions, 822 yards, five touchdowns and one interception, with a 97.9 QB rating and an 84.2 QBR, plus 135 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Daniels’ memory includes a game‑winning drive at Tampa Bay and a blowout victory over Detroit, cementing his reputation as a clutch performer when healthy.

What It Means for Teams

Any of these three young franchise passers would satisfy a roster in need of a reliable signal‑caller, given their combined skill sets and growing experience. The Commanders, meanwhile, maintain confidence that they have the best of the bunch, despite the redraft’s nuanced rankings.

As the league moves toward training camp, the 2024 redraft serves as a reminder that a single season’s outcome does not define a quarterback’s trajectory, especially when injuries and development play such pivotal roles.