No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels helps Commanders launch new era against Baker Mayfield-led Buccaneers

TAMPA, Fla. — Jayden Daniels isn’t making any bold predictions about his NFL debut.

The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner and second overall pick in this year’s draft will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road Sunday in a highly anticipated fresh start for the Washington Commanders.

“It’s obviously going to be a challenge,” said Daniels, who has been everything new coach Dan Quinn expected — and maybe more — in learning the offense and building strong relationships with his teammates.

“I have a solid foundation. Obviously, it’s going to be refined week by week,” the former LSU star said. “It’s not going to be a final product.”

Tampa Bay’s defense has a solid record against rookie quarterbacks, especially under Todd Bowles, who is entering his third season as the Bucs’ coach after spending the previous three years as defensive coordinator under former coach Bruce Arians.

Bowles continues to call defensive plays and uses a wide variety of personnel groupings and blitz packages to disrupt and frustrate quarterbacks young and old.

Since the coach arrived in Tampa Bay in 2019, the Bucs are 10-5 against starting quarterbacks. They are 1-2 in that span against first-time starters — losing to Daniel Jones (Giants, 2019) and Brock Purdy (49ers, 2022) and beating Trace McSorley (Cardinals, 2022).

The Bucs, who allowed another No. 2 overall pick – Houston’s C.J. Stroud – to throw for a rookie single-game record 470 yards and five touchdowns in a loss to the Texans last season, are impressed with what they’ve seen from Daniels.

“He looks like a real pro,” All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. said.

“Anytime you play a dual-threat quarterback, it’s going to be a problem. He can beat you with his legs or his arm,” Bowles added. “He was drafted that high for a reason. He’s very accurate, very calm in the pocket, has good command of the offense. … It’s going to be tough trying to keep him in the pocket and trying to cover those guys.”

Commanders are confident that Daniels is up to the challenge.

“His aura and his confidence has been there since Day 1,” Washington receiver Dyami Brown said. “With a lot of young quarterbacks coming in, they’re learning a lot. But for him to have that confidence, it’s almost like he’s not even a rookie. He’s like a true veteran. … I think at this point, it’s just him being himself.”

Guard Nick Allegretti said the young QB was “incredibly calm.”

“Something unexpected is going to happen on Sunday, and we expect him to stay calm, to stay composed,” Allegretti said. “Otherwise, we’re here for him, to get him back on track. And to be competitive. We know he’s a competitor. We’re looking forward to seeing him in action.”

Mayfield’s Team

A year ago, QB Baker Mayfield entered his first season in Tampa Bay with an uncertain future. He not only revived his career by throwing for career-highs of 4,044 yards and 28 TDs, but also led the Bucs to a third straight NFC South title and a playoff victory.

He was rewarded in the offseason with a three-year contract worth $100 million.

“Baker has the keys to the bus. He’s the one driving it,” Bowles said. “He’s comfortable, we’re comfortable with him.”

Not just Daniels

In addition to Daniels, Washington is expected to feature three rookies: Brandon Coleman at left tackle, Luke McCaffrey at receiver and Mike Sainristil at cornerback. Two other rookies, defensive tackle Johnny Newton and tight end Ben Sinnott, are also expected to be in strong spots.

Super Bowl Expectations

The Bucs have won three straight division titles and are the only NFC team to make the playoffs in each of the last four seasons. After some playoff success last winter, Bowles and his players are aiming higher this year.

“Nobody wants to settle for a division title. It doesn’t do anything for us,” the coach said. “We’re here to win the big prize.”

Brand new atmosphere

It’s the start of a whole new era of Washington football: a team nearly completely remade by new general manager Adam Peters and a new coaching staff led by Quinn.

This is Quinn’s first game as head coach since being fired five games into the 2020 season by Atlanta, and he and Peters have brought in Kliff Kingsbury to lead the offense and Joe Whitt Jr. to lead the defense.

The ruling regime has received only glowing reviews, especially from the few survivors who are too used to losing.

“I’m really excited about what the future holds for this team,” said right guard Sam Cosmi, who this week signed a four-year, $74 million extension with $45 million guaranteed. “It’s so different than the last three years I’ve been here. And so, feeling that, the atmosphere is just different. And you can see it, I think everybody can see it. So we’ve got to get ourselves together this season, and I think we will.”

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AP sports writer Stephen Whyno in Washington contributed to this report.