Jayden Daniels drops to No. 3 in 2024 NFL redraft after injury-plagued season

Jayden Daniels has slipped to third overall in a 2024 NFL redraft after a disappointing second season marred by injuries and regression.

What happened in the redraft?

Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports conducted a 2024 NFL redraft, reordering the first-round quarterback class. The original top three picks-Caleb Williams to Chicago, Jayden Daniels to Washington, and Drake Maye to New England-were reshuffled. Williams now goes first overall to Washington, while Maye jumps to Chicago at No. 1. Daniels falls to third, landing in New England.

Pereles cited Williams’ leap in Year 2 as the reason for the swap. Williams cut sacks, improved pocket navigation, and minimized negative plays. Maye’s struggles under pressure and in the playoffs also factored in. Daniels, meanwhile, was penalized for his injury-plagued 2025 season and accuracy drop.

Why it matters for Jayden Daniels

Daniels’ 2024 rookie season remains historic. He led Washington to the NFC Championship Game, completing 66% of passes for 822 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception across three playoff games. His 2025 season, though, was derailed by injuries-he missed 10 games-and a sharp decline in accuracy.

The redraft reflects the NFL’s “what have you done for me lately?” mindset. Daniels’ 2024 playoff heroics are still fresh in memory, but his 2025 struggles-including a fall off in completion percentage and a lack of surrounding talent-pushed him down the board. The Commanders would still take him again, Pereles noted, but the market has moved on.

How the rivals fared

Williams and Maye both led their teams to the playoffs in 2025. Williams improved dramatically, cutting negative plays and boosting his pocket presence. Maye, though, struggled in New England’s four playoff games, completing 58% of passes with six touchdowns, four interceptions, and seven fumbles. His 82.2 passer rating and 40 QBR underperformed.

Daniels didn’t make the playoffs in 2025, but his 2024 playoff run stands out. He outperformed both Williams and Maye in their respective postseason appearances, throwing for 822 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception while completing 66% of passes.

What comes next for Daniels

Daniels has already moved on from 2025. He’s focused on 2026, telling reporters he’s “done talking about last year.” Washington’s front office has echoed that sentiment, emphasizing Daniels’ long-term potential despite his injury-plagued second season. The redraft serves as a reminder: in the NFL, recency bias cuts both ways.