Hogs Haven
Editor’s note: We’ll count down the top 10 Commanders players on the 2026 roster regardless of position sporadically over the next few weeks. Before we get to it, here’s how we arrived at the ranking: Our Scott Bair, Scott Jennings and Mark Tyler compiled a top 13 – no ranking was identical — with points assigned to each ranking slot from all three lists. We used these point values to form a consensus top 10 ranking. We’ll write a story on each member of the top 10 and another on others receiving votes at the end. Plus, Mark will probably have a Tyler’s Take with his thoughts. You’ll surely object to some of these rankings, though debate is kind of the point with lists like this. Today we focus on No. 2:
Our roster rankings: 10. Leo Chenal | 9. Chig Okonwko | 8. Nick Cross | 7. Sam Cosmi | 6. Sonny Styles | 5. Daron Payne | 4. Odafe Oweh | 3. Terry McLaurin
The Commanders didn’t hesitate in taking Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 overall NFL Draft pick. Caleb Williams went first to Chicago, but Daniels was no consolation prize. The Arizona State and LSU product was also worthy of the top slot, a rare talent who combined mobility, smarts and arm talent with a thousand-watt smile capable of being a true public face of a franchise.
Wise choice.
Daniels was named the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year after leading the Commanders to the NFC title game. While his second season wasn’t as grand (injuries suck) , there’s no buyer’s remorse on a quarterback capable of being elite when performing at his best.
Having a quarterback sitting this high in the roster rankings is a good thing. Him not being No. 1 is another plus, meaning there’s an elite talent occupying another spot. There wasn’t much argument with Daniels falling in this spot, and it’s well earned.
Daniels has the physical skills you want in a modern NFL quarterback. He’s a smart player with a nearly 3-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, with a 66.6% completion rate and 5.7 rushing yards per attempt.
Daniels has become a true team leader and an influence on coordinator David Blough’s new scheme. He’s capable of the under-center transformation that Caleb Williams went through in Chicago, to great effect. Washington’s potential with Daniels at quarterback is sky high, as long as, you know, he stays healthy.
Well, a great deal. Daniels was the offensive rookie of the year in 2024, when the Commanders qualified for the NFC title game. He had 3,568 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. He also had 891 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. When you put all those stats together…that’s, you know, a lot. Like, crazy good.
Daniels’ 2025 experience wasn’t quite as good. He just kept getting hurt. Like, over and over again. He missed 10 games and finished just four,...
