In a thrilling showdown between the Cleveland Browns and the Washington Commanders, linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah found himself haunted by missed opportunities to bring down the elusive quarterback, Jayden Daniels. Despite his best efforts, Owusu-Koramoah couldn’t prevent Daniels from making big plays with his legs and arm.
“I got to find a way to get that sack on the ground there in the first half, that kind of sticks with me a little bit,” Owusu-Koramoah lamented after the game.
Daniels, the gifted rookie out of college and second overall pick in the 2024 draft, showcased his versatility by earning NFC Rookie of the Month honors thanks to his impressive performance on the field. His ability to make plays both with his arm and his legs kept the Browns defense on their toes throughout the game.
On one particular play, Owusu-Koramoah and safety Grant Delpit had a clear shot at Daniels, only for the quarterback to pull off a Houdini act and escape their grasp. Daniels then proceeded to launch a bomb downfield to wide receiver Terry McLaurin for a huge gain, leaving the Browns defenders scratching their heads.
“I was just playing football. I’m kind of just reacting to everything that they’re doing,” Daniels explained. “I was able to get outside the pocket a couple times, scramble a couple times. So I think after hitting that scramble drill to Terry, I think that kind of put them on high alert like, ‘Hey, we have to stay closer to our man.’ So I was able to get the corner on a couple runs.”
Daniels’ impact in the running game didn’t go unnoticed by Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. With Washington ranking high in rushing statistics, Daniels’ ability to create big plays on the ground adds another dimension to their offense that keeps opposing defenses guessing.
“His ability to produce chunk plays and first downs without putting the ball in the air can be demoralizing for opposing defenses,” Commanders head coach Dan Quinn acknowledged. Despite a few hiccups, Quinn praised Daniels for his contributions to the team’s offensive success.
As the Commanders gear up to face the Baltimore Ravens, who lead the league in rushing statistics, Daniels’ dual-threat capabilities will be crucial in keeping their offense firing on all cylinders. With his skill set and playmaking ability, Daniels is poised to become a major force in the league for years to come.