Dynasty watch: Jayden Daniels shines like a star

On a time erstwhile past year's Heisman Trophy runner-up Michael Penix Jr. grabbed headlines for making his first NFL start, it was the 2023 Heisman victor Jayden Daniels who stole the show. Daniels delivered a season-high 34.5 imagination points, adding different item to his awesome rookie play by starring the Commanders to a thrilling 4th-quarter comeback against the Eagles.

Daniels became conscionable the 3rd subordinate successful NFL history to station 5 passing touchdowns and 80 rushing yards successful a azygous game, joining MVPs Lamar Jackson and Cam Newton. That's elite company.

In addition, of the 44 quarterbacks since 2000 to commencement 10 aliases much games successful their rookie season, only Newton and Justin Herbert person vanished pinch much imagination points than Daniels has now ... moreover pinch 2 games remaining.

This capacity each but locks up Offensive Rookie of the Year for Daniels, and pinch a afloat offseason nether his loop and cardinal playmakers for illustration Terry McLaurin and Brian Robinson Jr. group to return, Daniels is successful premier position to build connected his rookie occurrence successful 2025 and beyond. The ceiling is sky-high for this young star.

Meanwhile successful Atlanta, Penix didn't request to do overmuch acknowledgment to Atlanta's early lead and 2 protect touchdowns, but 1 stat stands out: he completed each 11 passes thrown betwixt the numbers against the Giants. That's a large betterment for the Falcons, who struggled successful this area pinch Kirk Cousins astatine QB.

Penix was decisive and meticulous successful his first NFL start, pinch his lone interception coming connected walk to Kyle Pitts that should person been caught.

Looking ahead, pinch violative playmakers specified arsenic Bijan Robinson and Drake London, and a afloat offseason nether violative coordinator Zac Robinson, Penix's early outlook looks very agleam -- particularly pinch the Falcons expected to move connected from Cousins aft the season.

Other rookie notes to cognize from Week 16

• Audric Estime led the Broncos' backfield pinch 9 carries and 48 rushing yards. He outpaced some Javonte Williams and Blake Watson against the Chargers, stepping up pinch Jaleel McLaughlin sidelined owed to a quadriceps injury.

• Ladd McConkey caught each six of his targets from Herbert against the Broncos. Out of 34 quarterback-receiver duos pinch astatine slightest 75 targets this season, Herbert and McConkey are top-five successful QBR, completion percent and yards per attempt.

• Xavier Worthy ran the second-most routes for the Chiefs, trailing only Travis Kelce. He's had 9 aliases much touches and astatine slightest 19 imagination points successful back-to-back games. Worthy has established himself arsenic 1 of Kansas City's 2 apical receiving options.

• Malik Nabers has 97 reception this season, the astir by a subordinate done their first 13 games successful convention history.

• Caleb Williams conscionable made history arsenic the first Bears rookie backmost to propulsion for astatine slightest 3,000 yards successful his rookie season. He's besides put had 4 games pinch 300 passing yards and 2 passing touchdowns.

Rookie dynasty rankings

Quarterback
1. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
2. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
3. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
4. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
5. Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
6. J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings

Running back
1. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants
3. Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals
4. Braelon Allen, New York Jets
5. Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
6. Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills
7. Audric Estime, Denver Broncos
8. Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers
9. Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins
10. Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers
11. MarShawn Lloyd, Green Bay Packers
12. Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers
13. Isaiah Davis, New York Jets
14. Carson Steele, Kansas City Chiefs
15. Will Shipley, Philadelphia Eagles
16. Dylan Laube, Las Vegas Raiders
17. Rasheen Ali, Baltimore Ravens
18. Frank Gore Jr., Buffalo Bills
19. Keilan Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars

Wide receiver
1. Malik Nabers, New York Giants
2. Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
3. Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals
4. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
5. Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears
6. Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs
7. Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
8. Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers
9. Adonai Mitchell, Indianapolis Colts
10. Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills
11. Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers
12. Ja'Lynn Polk, New England Patriots
13. Devaughn Vele, Denver Broncos
14. Luke McCaffrey, Washington Commanders
15. Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers
16. Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos
17. Jermaine Burton, Cincinnati Bengals
18. Javon Baker, New England Patriots
19. Malik Washington, Miami Dolphins
20. Malachi Corley, New York Jets

Tight end
1. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
2. Ben Sinnott, Washington Commanders
3. Theo Johnson, New York Giants
4. Ja'Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers