Jayden Daniels Emerges as Top Fantasy Football Target for 2026

Jayden Daniels is a top fantasy football target for 2026, according to Jason Katz, who cites his rookie-year performance and rushing floor as key factors.

What happened?

Jayden Daniels averaged 20.93 PPG in his rookie season, one of only four quarterbacks since 2011 to clear 20.0 as a rookie, joining Cam Newton, Justin Herbert, and Robert Griffin III. However, his sophomore dip was real, averaging 16.8 PPG in 2025, a number that climbs to 18.9 once you strip out a Week 14 game he never should have played.

Why it matters for Jayden Daniels

The rushing is what makes him a set-it-and-forget-it QB1. Daniels averages 48.7 rushing yards per game for the Washington Commanders, which is roughly a touchdown's worth of production on the ground before he throws a single pass. This is the same reason I spent a bust column fading Joe Burrow at a comparable price. A quarterback who can post a quiet passing line and still hand you a usable number is the safest bet at the position.

What comes next?

Jason Katz believes that paying near cost for a 25-year-old with proven top-five upside and a rushing floor that travels every week is a trade he is glad to make. Bet on the rookie-year version, not the injury-wrecked one. Daniels' QB3 ADP sits a hair above Katz's QB4 ranking, but he still wants him. Quarterback is also deep enough that you can find QB1 upside several rounds later.

The case for Jayden Daniels

Daniels' rookie-year performance was not a fluke. He has the potential to be a top-five quarterback in the league. His rushing floor is a key factor in his value, and he has the potential to be a game-changer on the ground. With his rookie-year performance and rushing floor, Jayden Daniels is a top fantasy football target for 2026.

The competition

Katz also mentions Kyler Murray, the Minnesota Vikings quarterback, as a potential target. However, he believes that Murray is not washed and has the potential to be a top quarterback in the league. Murray's floor across his six seasons before 2025 was a perfectly usable 17.5 PPG in 2024.

The verdict

Jayden Daniels is a top fantasy football target for 2026, according to Jason Katz. His rookie-year performance and rushing floor make him a safe bet at the position. With his potential to be a top-five quarterback in the league, Jayden Daniels is a player to watch in the upcoming season.