AFC Exec Puts Jayden Daniels in QB Tier with Mahomes, Lamar as 'Really Tough' to Face

Jayden Daniels had an outstanding rookie year and appears to be on his way to being one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, but some already think the Washington Commanders quarterback is near the top.

Per Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, one AFC executive said Daniels is already in a quarterback tier with Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Josh Allen.

"There's definitely a gap," the executive said. "Those four are very consistent. Most years, I'd put Mahomes or Lamar one or two. But Burrow's right there, and Allen's the MVP of the league. Jayden [Daniels] is the one I see as having a chance to get there. Where he's going, you assume the arrow's going to keep pointing up. And the reason I'd put Jayden up there is because of how I think about it—those five, if you include Jayden, are really tough to play against."

While it feels bold to already put a second-year quarterback amongst the league's best, it's hard to argue that Daniels isn't there yet. As a rookie, he threw for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He added 891 yards on the ground—the most ever by a rookie quarterback—and six rushing touchdowns.

What's more, Daniels led the Commanders to their first playoff win since 2005 and their first NFC Championship since 1991.

If he can have that kind of success as a rookie, there's no telling what he can achieve once he reaches his prime.