Commanders’ Daniels ranks fifth among quarterbacks in survey of NFL coaches, executives

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels took the NFL by storm last season, his first in the league. Opponents won’t be caught off guard this year.

Washington’s signal-caller ranked as the fifth-best quarterback in the league in an ESPN survey of scouts, executives and coaches released on Monday.

The list was led by Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a two-time MVP and three-time Super Bowl champion. He was followed by reigning MVP Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow and Baltimore Ravens passer Lamar Jackson.

“Single-handedly took one of the worst franchises to the NFC title game as a rookie with a bad defense, one legitimate wide receiver, a dinosaur at tight end [12th-year pro Zach Ertz] and average-at-best OL,” one anonymous NFL coordinator told ESPN.

Daniels rapidly became a force to be reckoned with, leading the Commanders to their first NFC championship game in more than 30 years and winning Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Teams anticipated his dual-threat blend of running and passing, but the late-game heroics came as a surprise. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner led the Commanders on four game-winning drives and fourth-quarter comebacks, including a now-famous “Hail Mary” to defeat the Chicago Bears in October.

“His team already believes that if he has the ball with a chance to win, he’s going to find a way,” the unnamed coordinator said. “If he repeats anything close to his rookie year, he’s no lower than No. 3 on this list next year.”

The top of the survey reached a near consensus. None of the voters — ESPN surveyed more than 70 people — ranked Mahomes, Allen, Burrow or Jackson lower than sixth on their ballot.

The Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, Detroit Lions signal-caller Jared Goff, reigning Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers passer Baker Mayfield.