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Jayden Daniels cracks top 10 among NFL’s best 25 and under in 2026

2026-07-20 · Jayden Daniels · Player Focus

Jayden Daniels has cracked the top 10 on CBS Sports’ latest ranking of the NFL’s best players 25 and under ahead of the 2026 season.

The Washington Commanders quarterback sits at No. 8 on the list, one spot behind Caleb Williams and four spots behind Drake Maye. The ranking arrives after Daniels endured a brutal 2025 campaign marred by injuries and a 2-5 record in his seven starts.

What happened?

Daniels missed 10 games last season with multiple injuries, including setbacks to key playmakers like Terry McLaurin and Austin Ekeler. The Commanders limped to a 4-13 record overall, a sharp drop from their 12-5 mark in 2024. The NFC Championship contenders of a year ago faded fast once Daniels went down.

Yet the arrow hasn’t swung permanently. Daniels still owns the same elite traits that carried Washington to the NFC title game in his rookie season. His 100.1 passer rating in 2024 remains the gold standard for this roster.

Why it matters for Jayden Daniels

The ranking validates Daniels’ standing among the league’s young elite, even after a lost 2025. Williams and Maye leapfrogged him in CBS Sports’ eyes, but Daniels’ 2024 tape still dwarfs their playoff struggles. Williams managed just 50.8% accuracy across two postseason games, while Maye’s Super Bowl run relied on New England’s defense.

Daniels, meanwhile, put the Commanders on his back during Washington’s 2024 playoff run. He accounted for 31 total touchdowns against just nine turnovers that year. The question now is whether the 2024 version resurfaces in 2026.

What comes next?

Health is the first hurdle. Daniels is healthy again and reunited with McLaurin, who’s also 100%. The duo combined for 15 touchdowns in 2024 but barely played together last season. A full offseason of chemistry-building should help.

The Commanders’ revamped defense and new offensive scheme could unlock another gear. Daniels is also set to hit contract-extension talks after 2026, making every snap a chance to prove he’s back where he belongs: among the NFL’s true young stars.

The 2026 season isn’t just big for Washington. It’s huge for Daniels.

More Jayden Daniels news →