Dynasty watch: Jayden Daniels shines like a star

On a day when last year’s Heisman Trophy runner-up Michael Penix Jr. grabbed headlines for making his first NFL start, it was the 2023 Heisman winner Jayden Daniels who stole the show. Daniels delivered a season-high 34.5 fantasy points, adding another highlight to his impressive rookie season by leading the Commanders to a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback against the Eagles.

Daniels became just the third player in NFL history to post five passing touchdowns and 80 rushing yards in a single game, joining MVPs Lamar Jackson and Cam Newton. That’s elite company.

In addition, of the 44 quarterbacks since 2000 to start 10 or more games in their rookie season, only Newton and Justin Herbert have finished with more fantasy points than Daniels has now … even with two games left.

This performance all but locks up Offensive Rookie of the Year for Daniels, and with a full offseason under his belt and key playmakers such as Terry McLaurin and Brian Robinson Jr. set to return, Daniels is in prime position to build on his rookie success in 2025 and beyond. The ceiling is sky-high for this young star.

Meanwhile in Atlanta, Penix didn’t need to do much thanks to Atlanta’s early lead and two defensive touchdowns, but one stat stands out: he completed all 11 passes thrown between the numbers against the Giants. That’s a big improvement for the Falcons, who struggled in this area with Kirk Cousins at QB.

Penix was decisive and accurate in his first NFL start, with his lone interception coming on a pass to Kyle Pitts that should have been caught.

Looking ahead, with offensive playmakers such as Bijan Robinson and Drake London, and a full offseason under offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, Penix’s future outlook looks very bright — especially with the Falcons expected to move on from Cousins after the season.

Other rookie notes to know from Week 16

• Audric Estime led the Broncos’ backfield with nine carries and 48 rushing yards. He outpaced both Javonte Williams and Blake Watson against the Chargers, stepping up with Jaleel McLaughlin sidelined because of a quadriceps injury.

• Ladd McConkey caught all six of his targets from Herbert against the Broncos. Out of 34 quarterback-receiver duos with at least 75 targets this season, Herbert and McConkey are top-five in QBR, completion percentage and yards per attempt.

• Xavier Worthy ran the second-most routes for the Chiefs, trailing only Travis Kelce. He has had nine or more touches and at least 19 fantasy points in back-to-back games. Worthy has established himself as one of Kansas City’s two top receiving options.

• Malik Nabers has 97 receptions this season, the most by a player through their first 13 games in league history.

• Caleb Williams just made history as the first Bears rookie quarterback to throw for at least 3,000 yards in his rookie season. He has also had four games with 300 passing yards and two 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