• Two game-changing runners: Jayden DanielsThe early success as a hitter is very similar to Jackson’s breakout 2019 season. He was a dynamic runner, as he was throughout his five college seasons. This year there are only eight players – seven runners and Lamar Jackson — recorded more 10-plus-yard rushes than Daniels.
• It’s not just their fast-paced abilities: The number of passes for both players is almost the same, down to the average time per shot. Daniels is a little more conservative and precise in his approach, while Jackson took a few more chances and was rewarded with more big shots, but overall the performance is incredibly similar.
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Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
The excitement surrounding the first ever match between Jayden Daniels And Lamar Jackson was inevitable this week. And bth the time when the weekend comes, i.e.his match will dominate every national sports show and we will drown in comparisons.
But despite the overblown narrative, it’s a head-to-head battle that more than lives up to the hype.
Their similarities are easy to see, as both are Heisman-winning playmakers and dual-threat players who have turned their franchises around.
Looking at their stats earlier in the year would be a little unfair to Jackson, considering he didn’t start until Week 11 of 2018 and may not have been fully ready to command the NFL passing attack at that point. .
However, given these starts plus his three years in LouisvilleThe amount of high-level football he played in isn’t too different from the whopping 55 starts Daniels made in his five years in college.
To make a more balanced comparison, we’ll look at Jackson’s first five MVP starts of the 2019 season, which better reflect the trajectory of his career. And at first glance, Daniels’ performance this season suggests that the comparison may be more valid than it first appears.
Jayden Daniels 2024 vs. Lamar Jackson 2019 (weeks 1–5)
| Metrics | Daniels | Jackson |
| Passing score | 77.7 | 70.4 |
| Hasty variety | 74.3 | 68.7 |
| Large throw % | 3.6% | 4.0% |
| Game worth turning over, % | 2.2% | 2.4% |
He did it in a slightly different way, but Daniels is performing slightly better than Jackson in the first five starts of his first MVP season.
Daniels, whose team on paper isn’t as talented as the 2019 Ravens team, has been more conservative as a passer, but his accuracy and efficiency stand out. Jackson attacked the outfield more often and had a much higher production rate. average target depth; he also threw 11 touchdowns compared to Daniels’ 4.
Daniels and Jackson are undeniable threats on the field, elevating their teams’ rushing attacks to new levels. It makes sense that both would excel in game situations early in their careers, serving as dynamic additions to their offenses – and that was the case for both players. However, when we examine their performance as passers, the similarities become even more striking: both show positive results in this area.
Jayden Daniels 2024 vs. Lamar Jackson 2019 (1-5 weeks), non-game activities
| Metrics | Daniels | Jackson |
| Passing score | 72.7 | 72.8 |
| Yards per attempt | 8.5 | 8.2 |
| Adjusted completion percentage | 79.2% | 76.4% |
| Big shots | 4 | 7 |
| Plays worth turning around | 3 | 4 |
| Average throw time | 2.79 seconds | 2.78 seconds |
The number of passes for both players is almost the same, down to the average time per shot. Again, Daniels is a little more conservative and precise in his approach, while Jackson took a few more chances and was rewarded with more big shots, but overall the performance is incredibly similar.
We’ve already said twice that Daniels has demonstrated a conservative approach. He may not throw the ball as often as Jackson did earlier in his career, but he has an edge in efficiency on targets beyond 10 yards.
Jayden Daniels 2024 vs. Lamar Jackson 2019 (Weeks 1–5), throws over 10 yards
| Metrics | Daniels | Jackson |
| Passing score | 92.4 | 77.5 |
| % complete | 61.5% | 45.6% |
| Yards per attempt | 13.3 | 10.8 |
| Average target depth | 21.5 | 21.4 |
When Daniels decided to throw the ball vertically, he did so at an elite level. His 92.4 passing grade on throws over 10 yards easily beats Jackson’s 2019 grade, but it’s actually slightly better than Jackson’s 92.1 passing grade on those throws. this season.
The last piece left to cover is how Daniels and Jackson compare as running backs. They are obviously both explosive playmakers and create as much for themselves in the run game as they do for their teammates. Again, comparing their statistics reveals striking similarities.
Jayden Daniels 2024 vs. Lamar Jackson 2019 (weeks 1–5), Rapid indicators
| Metrics | Daniels | Jackson |
| Hasty attempts | 56 | 50 |
| Yards Per Carry | 5.4 | 6.2 |
| MTF per attempt | 0.23 | 0.20 |
| Running over 10 yards % | 17.9% | 18.0% |
Daniels’ early success as a hitter is very similar to Jackson’s breakout 2019 season. He was a dynamic runner, as he was throughout his five college seasons. This year, only eight players — seven running backs and Lamar Jackson — have recorded more rushes of 10-plus yards than Daniels.
It’s probably too early to tell if Jayden Daniels will finish the season as a legitimate MVP candidate. However, his production is eerily similar to that of a player who has already won two MVPs. But regardless of whether he wins any award this year, Washington Looks like they’ve found a potentially elite defender who can take them to new heights.
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