Yahoo Sports Washington Commanders' QB Jayden Daniels is No. 1 in these quarterback power rankings

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When discussing the top quarterbacks in the NFL, the conversation generally begins with Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow. From there, you could debate who is No. 5.

Last season, Washington Commanders' rookie Jayden Daniels put himself in the conversation. A rookie quarterback already ranked inside the top five? Yes, did you see Daniels play last season? Not only was Daniels phenomenal in the regular season, leading the Commanders to their best record in 33 years, but he was even better in the playoffs, leading Washington to the NFC championship game.

Considering the Commanders were 4-13 in 2023, it was an improbable run for a team with a rookie quarterback, first-time general manager and first-year head coach. Daniels had the greatest rookie season by a quarterback in NFL history, with some even calling it the best debut season in American sports history.

Free agency and the NFL draft are over. All 32 NFL teams are in the middle of their offseason programs. In one month, teams will enjoy around six weeks off before training camp and the grind of a new season.

So, Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports released the first post-draft quarterback power rankings, and he has a surprise at the top.

1. Jayden Daniels

Recency bias? Sure. But you'd be hard-pressed to find an NFL team that wouldn't hurry to claim him as its quarterback of the present and future, contenders included. He was simply unflappable for much of his dynamic debut, which ended on the doorstep of the Super Bowl . A second-year dip is possible, but who says Daniels won't keep climbing with some added veteran help in D.C.?

It is easy to say Daniels will have a sophomore slump, because that's what history tells us. Right? Don't bet on it with Daniels.

Here's the remainder of Benjamin's top 10:

• 1. Jayden Daniels
• 2. Jalen Hurts
• 3. Joe Burrow
• 4. Lamar Jackson
• 5. Josh Allen
• 6. Patrick Mahomes
• 7. Matthew Stafford
• 8. Jordan Love
• 9. Jared Goff
• 10. Brock Purdy

Mahomes didn't play well last season, but ranking him sixth seems criminal. Even more egregious is leaving Baker Mayfield out of the top 10 in favor of Love and Purdy. Also, you could make a strong case for another second-year quarterback, Bo Nix, to be in the top 10.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels sits atop CBS' QB power rankings

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