Everyone loves to compare young players to established veterans, especially quarterbacks. Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was so good as a rookie that many analysts weren't sure of an accurate comparison. Some said Lamar Jackson due to Daniels' speed and scrambling ability.
Colin Cowherd has a lofty comparison for Daniels, involving Jackson and another quarterback: Patrick Mahomes.
"This kid is Lamar plus Mahomes," Cowherd said on a recent edition of The Herd. "His poise in the fourth quarter doesn't make sense. And here's the thing, the NFL gives you an all-time quarterback legend about every six years, and I'm talking Peyton Manning, (John) Elway, Mahomes, (Brett) Favre. I'm telling you, he singularly won a road playoff game. And I thought Andrew Luck was the best quarterback I ever saw as a rookie."
Daniels had some spectacular come-from-behind wins as a rookie last season. Whether it was the Hail Mary against the Bears, the spectacular five-touchdown performance in the upset over the Eagles, his game-winning drive over the Falcons, or his performance in the playoff win over the Buccaneers that Cowherd referenced, Daniels did things most veteran quarterbacks couldn't or didn't do.
Daniels proved he has the clutch gene, just like Mahomes. And while it's difficult to compare any quarterback to Mahomes or Jackson, it's hard not to get excited about Daniels entering his second NFL season.
