Sheehan: What would constitute a good rookie year for Commanders QB Jayden Daniels?

Even when the veterans join the rookies at training camp on Tuesday, all eyes will remain on quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Washington Commanders No. 2 overall pick from this year and presumptive Week 1 starter for the 2024 NFL season.

On the eve of Dan Quinn's first camp in charge in Washington, Kevin Sheehan asks what would constitute a successful rookie campaign for the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback.

Before getting into expectations, Sheehan looked at what last year's No. 2 overall pick and Rookie of the Year winner CJ Stroud did with the Houston Texans: Stroud missed two games through injury and threw for 4,108 yards (8.2 yards per attempt) on a 63.9 completion percentage with 23 touchdowns and five interceptions for a 100.8 passer rating and 57.5 QBR. He also rushed for three TDs and the Texans went 9-6 when he played en route to an AFC South title and a playoff berth.

In the playoffs, Houston beat Cleveland before losing in Baltimore, overall he threw for 449 yards (8.3 per attempt) with a 64.8 completion percentage with three TDs and no picks.

"CJ Stroud had one hell of a rookie season, it's an abberation," Sheehan said. "We typically see much more up and down. Much more in the way of errors. And we didn't see that from him at all. He was exceptional and proved from the jump that he was ready for it."

So, with that in mind, that could is a tough act to follow for Daniels.

In starting his list of what he wants to see from Daniels, Sheehan said: "No. 1 for me is: I wanna see him play 17 games, I wanna see him get through camp, and it's obvious that he's their best option and even if it's close with Marcus Mariota, they're going with the rookie and they drafted him No. 2 overall and he's the future of this franchise and we're ready to roll with him... and remain upright and healthy for 17 games."

Part of this is on chance, play calling, other parts of the team in addition to the rookie. As is part of No. 2: "I want to see just smooth operation offensively. We've heard about his work ethic and his intellegence and his IQ and what a quick study he is. I wanna see a rookie quarterback that's looked like he's played for a while. It doesn't have to be Week 1 or Week 2, but by the time we get to the point where we're arppoaching the quarter mark of the season."

Next on the list: Comfortable and "at least 50 percent of the time successful from the pocket when it matters. Third-down and you gotta throw the football and you gotta throw the football from the pocket."

Sheehan believes that is where he was undersold coming out of college that Daniels can operate well in the pocket and 'trash at his feet' can hang in there and deliever the football with poise. Because in order to be great – and espeically in the postseason – be successful from the pocket.

And: "Be smart as a runner." While there are plenty of examples of him getting down to not take a hit and stepping out of bounds, he has had a habit of taking hits and taking on big defenders. "I wanna see him smart as a runner," Sheehan added, but with this caveat: "I also wanna see him confident as a runner and not worried about running too much."

And while running is important, Sheehan would really like to see the rookie avoid sacks – Stroud was sacked 38 times, which put him in the Top 10 – and that would be much better than what Sam Howell put up last year.

Listen to the full take on the audio player above!