In a thrilling Saturday showdown, the highly anticipated NFL debuts of the top two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft took place. Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick, showcased his talents for the Chicago Bears, while Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 pick, made his first appearance for the Washington Commanders.
Daniels wasted no time making an impact as he took the field. His first NFL pass was a screen pass that sailed over the head of Austin Ekeler. However, the rookie quickly recovered and on the Commanders’ third play from scrimmage, he connected with Dyami Brown for a spectacular 42-yard gain down the sideline, beating cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse.
“That’s just a beautifully placed ball, thrown calmly from the center of the pocket at the top of his drop,” remarked a commentator. “And Brown does a great job of using his body to shield the defender away from the ball and then haul it in over his shoulder.”
Even more impressive was the fact that Daniels called the play himself. Offensive lineman Sam Cosmi praised Daniels’ decision-making, stating, “He made a check mid-play. It turned out to be a big gain. He was calm and collected, which is what you want to see… I think everybody should be very excited just from that little sneak peek right there.”
Shortly after the big gain, Daniels showcased his athleticism by running into the end zone from 3 yards out on third-and-goal. It was a simple zone read, with Daniels reading the defense and making the correct choice to keep the ball and score. To top it off, Daniels handed the ball to his mom in a heartwarming moment before being replaced by veteran Marcus Mariota.
On the other side of the field, Williams was making his own mark. Despite a setback due to a holding penalty, Williams showed poise in the pocket and connected with D.J. Moore for a crucial 12-yard gain on third-and-long. The next play saw Williams execute a highlight-reel play as he flipped the ball forward to D’Andre Swift, who turned it into a 42-yard gain.
The crowd erupted in excitement as the two rookie quarterbacks displayed their skills in their NFL debuts. With Williams and Daniels at the helm, the future looks bright for both the Bears and the Commanders. Fans can only anticipate what these young stars will achieve in the seasons to come.