Similarities Between Washington Commanders Jayden Daniels and CJ Stroud

They say “birds of a feather flock together” and, as cliché as it sounds, there is some truth when it comes to friends and quarterbacks Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders and CJ Stroud of the Houst Texans.

Both are the No. 2 overall picks in their respective NFL Draft classes, both are seen as the potential savior of their franchises, although Stroud is obviously further along that path with the Texans than Daniels is. He’s with the commanders at the moment, and both of them were somewhat unlucky. -the traditional routes to access the NFL.

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Something that Washington receiver Terry McLaurin has taken note of and believes could be a catalyst for success with his new quarterback.

“I think a lot of it comes from the makeup of that quarterback,” McLaurin responded. Sports center host Scott Van Pelt when asked if he facilitated early success with Daniels like Houston did with Stroud. “I have a history with CJ Stroud, just knowing him and getting to know him and what he’s made of, and the adversity he went through at Ohio State, and that built him for what he was ready for now I think Jayden Daniels has a similar story where he started at Arizona State, goes to LSU, has a good first year, but that second year he takes off and he wins the Heisman. …And as a leader and as a wide receiver, I always want to be the best player I can for him. So I’m going to push him, I know he’s going to push me, but I think you don’t have to. not telling him what to do when it comes to practice He comes early, he warms up, and if he doesn’t like a failed rep in practice, he says, “Hey Terry, let’s get back here, let’s get this rep again.’” and I think that speaks to his work ethic and how he tries to prepare every day for practice. He treats every practice and every rep like it’s a game rehearsal situation. “

“I think Jayden Daniels has a similar story where he starts at Arizona State, goes to LSU, has a good freshman year, but that sophomore year he takes off and he wins the Heisman….”

– Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders WR

Daniels first jumped onto the national scene for his athleticism and ability to play on the ground and in the air. It’s something he first showed at Arizona State, but wasn’t really able to refine and fully capitalize on until he landed at LSU.

Stroud, like Daniels, began his college career in one program and flourished in another, and his journey took him from Georgia to Ohio State before finally landing him with the Texans who badly needed quarterback stability after years of doubt and questions in college. position. Another similarity to Daniels’ situation in Washington.

In his first NFL season, Stroud threw for over 4,000 yards, 23 touchdowns, just five interceptions, and added another 167 yards on the ground with three scoring runs. Daniels should eclipse that number on the ground, and nearly 4,100 yards of production with 26 touchdowns would send the fan base through the roof.

More important than the personal stats, the Pro Bowl selection and the Offensive Rookie of the Year award are the 10 wins he led Houston to during his rookie year. Enough to win the AFC South after finishing last the previous season to earn the second overall pick that got them Stroud in the first place.

Daniels will admittedly have a tougher road ahead if he wants to replicate those results in the NFC East, with the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys both looking to prove the naysayers wrong after each having successful seasons of tumultuous double-digit victories last year.

Still, the Commanders are a hot pick to go from worst to first in the NFC East and Daniels is a big reason why. The same goes for the obsession we have as a society with seeing incredible athletic feats repeated, so seeing his friend do that with the Texans last year only makes those who support Daniels want to see him even more this year.

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Stay with CommanderGameday and the Locked Commanders podcast for more Washington Commanders coverage throughout the 2024 season.