We're still a couple months away from the NFL Honors, where players will receive superlatives like MVP and the rookies of the year, but according to NFL executives, they have already made up their minds.
Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year in NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero’s annual early awards survey. High-ranking executives from 27 teams, including 17 general managers, were asked to give their votes on the league's biggest awards.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers made it a close race, but the majority of NFL executives in the survey agreed that Daniels has had the best season for an offensive rookie.
"The No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft, Daniels leads all rookies with 3,045 passing yards and a 101.2 passer rating, and he's tied for second behind Denver's Bo Nix with 17 touchdown passes," Pelissero wrote. "He's also fourth among all QBs in completion percentage (70.5), the highest by a rookie in the common draft era (since 1967)."
Daniels has been the catalyst for Washington's success this season. They have their first winning season since 2016 and their best start since 1992, shattering several offensive records along the way. Whether it's putting together a masterclass performance like he did against the Cincinnati Bengals, when he completed 21-of-23 passes for the highest completion percentage by a rooking in a single game in NFL history, or grinding out a win against the New Orleans Saints with a gutsy performance, it's clear that he has elevated Washington's offense in a way that few anticipated in his first season.
Pelissero and NFL execs would agree with that statement.
"Along with coach Dan Quinn, a remodeled front office and new ownership, Daniels is a big reason one of the NFL's most destitute franchises seemingly has been reborn overnight," Pelissero wrote. "The Commanders are 9-5 and can wrap up a playoff spot with a win and help this weekend."
Along with lifting the Commanders to the fifth-ranked offense this year, Daniels has put together one of the best rookie campaigns in NFL history. He was the first player to have at least 1,000 passing yards and 250 rushing yards in their first five games and became the first quarterback in NFL history to have consecutive games with a completion rate of at least 85% (minimum 15 attempts in each game).
Daniels has also put himself in elite company this season. He joined the likes of Cam Newton and Washington Legend Robert Griffin III when he surpassed 3,000 passing yards and 600 rushing yards against the Saints, becoming just the third rookie in NFL history to accomplish the feat.
And for what it's worth, both Newton and Griffin went on to become the Offensive Rookie of the Year for their performances. Although the opinions of NFL executives won't matter when the real award is given out, the survey is an indication of how the league feels about the No. 2 overall pick.
Clearly, the rest of the league believes he has a bright future.
Daniels received 13 votes in Pelissero's survey, while Bowers came in second with nine votes. Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix received three votes. Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving both received one vote each.
