On a day when last year’s Heisman Trophy runner-up Michael Penix Jr. grabbed headlines with his first NFL start, it was 2023 Heisman winner Jayden Daniels who stole the show. Daniels delivered a season-high 34.5 fantasy points and added another highlight to his impressive rookie season by leading the Commanders to a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback against the Eagles.

Daniels became just the third player in NFL history, joining MVPs Lamar Jackson and Cam Newton, to score five passing touchdowns and 80 rushing yards in a single game. This is an elite company.

Additionally, of the 44 quarterbacks since 2000 who started 10 or more games in their rookie season, only Newton and Justin Herbert have scored more fantasy points than Daniels does now… even with two games left.

This performance nearly makes Daniels the Offensive Rookie of the Year, and with Daniels coming off a full offseason and key playmakers like Terry McLaurin and Brian Robinson Jr. set to return, Daniels is in prime position to build on his rookie success in 2025 and over and beyond. The ceiling is sky high for this young star.

Meanwhile, in Atlanta, Penix didn’t have to do much thanks to Atlanta’s early lead and two defensive touchdowns, but one stat stands out: He completed all 11 passes thrown between the numbers against the Giants. That’s a big improvement for the Falcons, who struggled in that area with Kirk Cousins ​​at QB.

Penix was decisive and accurate in his first NFL start, with his only interception coming on a pass to Kyle Pitts that should have been intercepted.

Looking ahead, Penix’s future prospects are very bright with offensive playmakers like Bijan Robinson and Drake London and a full offseason under offensive coordinator Zac Robinson – especially with the Falcons expected to move on from Cousins ​​after the season.

More Week 16 rookie notes you should know

• Audric Estime Led the Broncos’ backfield with nine carries and 48 rushing yards. Against the Chargers, he passed both Javonte Williams and Blake Watson and moved up while Jaleel McLaughlin was sidelined with a quadriceps injury.

• Ladd McConkey caught all six of Herbert’s targets against the Broncos. Of 34 quarterback-receiver duos with at least 75 targets this season, Herbert and McConkey rank in the top five in QBR, completion percentage and yards per attempt.

• Xavier Worthy ran the second-most routes for the Chiefs, trailing only Travis Kelce. He had nine or more touches and at least 19 fantasy points in consecutive games. Worthy has established himself as one of the top two receiving options in Kansas City.

• Malik Nabers has 97 receptions this season, the most by a player in his first 13 games in league history.

• Caleb Williams just made history as the first Bears rookie quarterback to throw for at least 3,000 yards in his rookie season. He also had four games with 300 passing yards and two passing touchdowns.

Rookie Dynasty Rankings

quarterback
1. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commander
2. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
3. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
4. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
5. Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
6. JJ McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings

Run back
1. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants
3. Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals
4. Braelon Allen, New York Jets
5. Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
6. Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills
7. Audric Estime, Denver Broncos
8. Jonathan Brooks, Carolina Panthers
9. Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins
10. Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers
11. MarShawn Lloyd, Green Bay Packers
12. Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers
13. Isaiah Davis, New York Jets
14. Carson Steele, Kansas City Chiefs
15. Will Shipley, Philadelphia Eagles
16. Dylan Laube, Las Vegas Raiders
17. Rasheen Ali, Baltimore Ravens
18. Frank Gore Jr., Buffalo Bills
19. Keilan Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars

Wide receiver
1. Malik Nabers, New York Giants
2. Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
3. Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals
4. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
5. Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears
6. Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs
7. Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
8. Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers
9. Adonai Mitchell, Indianapolis Colts
10. Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills
11. Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers
12. Ja’Lynn Polk, New England Patriots
13. Devaughn Vele, Denver Broncos
14. Luke McCaffrey, Washington Commanders
15. Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers
16. Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos
17. Jermaine Burton, Cincinnati Bengals
18. Javon Baker, New England Patriots
19. Malik Washington, Miami Dolphins
20. Malachi Corley, New York Jets

Tight end
1. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
2. Ben Sinnott, Washington Commanders
3. Theo Johnson, New York Giants
4. Ja’Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers