Fantasy Alert: Jayden Daniels' 16 Carries 'Not the Model' Commanders HC Wants to See

Fantasy football managers impressed by Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels' 16-carry NFL debut might not be able to depend on the rookie for another run-heavy game in Week 2.

Head coach Dan Quinn told reporters after Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that the Commanders will be focusing more on giving carries to running backs Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler going forward.

"We'd love to see [Daniels] remain a passer first," Daniels said (11:15 mark of the video below.) "I think it's going to come with more experience, honestly. When I can go, extend it to throw it, when, 'Hey, this play's over, I'll get rid of it, and move on to the next play.'"

"So, I think you'll see that trajectory continue as we go. Certainly, [16] carries is not the model that we're looking for, certainly with Brian, and Austin, and others here. But, at the end of it, I do think we'll continue to grow in that spot. But certainly not by design, to have that many."

The No. 2 pick of the 2024 draft recorded 88 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in his Commanders debut on Sunday.

Daniels was less effective through the air, connecting on 17 of 24 passes for 184 yards and no touchdowns.

Robinson and Ekeler meanwhile combined for 14 carries in the loss.

Serving as the Commanders' primary back, Robinson took on the heaviest workload and finished the night with 40 rushing yards and a score on the ground. Ekeler recorded 10 yards on two carries.

Robinson is looking for a bounce-back campaign after recording 733 rushing yards and five touchdowns in a 15-game 2023 campaign during which he was limited by a high-ankle sprain.

Commanders general manager Adam Peters signed Ekeler this season in hopes that he would similarly rebound as a third-down back (h/t ESPN's John Keim) after a down season with the Los Angeles Chargers.

It sounds like Quinn intends for both Robinson and Ekeler to get more carries as the Commanders focus on Daniels' passing next Sunday during a Week 2 home game against the New York Giants.