There has been a lot of discussion about the Washington Commanders<\/a> and what their priority should be heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. NFL Analyst Colin Cowherd<\/a> has made it pretty clear what his stance on Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels<\/a> is.<\/p>\n “Jayden Daniels is gonna need protection. Jaden Daniels is gonna get beat up in this league. I always said the fall of Andrew Luc<\/a>k was that they couldn’t protect him.”<\/p>\n Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Shemar James had the fastest sack across all of Week 7 in the NFL, according to @ZebraTechnology<\/a>.<\/p>\n James sacked Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels in 2.28 seconds.<\/p>\n (\ud83c\udfa5: NFL Pro) pic.twitter.com\/ZGTKFzgEY7<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) October 21, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The comparison Cowherd is drawing is hard to deny; Andrew Luck took a beating at the hands of the offensive line, and one of the greatest ‘what ifs’ in modern NFL history ensued. Daniels, in Cowherd’s analysis, is headed on a collision course with this reality unless Washington acts quickly. And, to some extent, the assessment has merit. Daniels did take hits last season. There is no need for fancy metrics to determine that.<\/p>\n However, here is where the argument falters. The conclusion reached is that the hits were solely the product of offensive line play. It is the simple route; it is the explanation that fails to take everything else into account. Washington did not just ignore their line; they added pieces and players. It is a roster constructed with more foresight than with duct tape. Everything outside of the structure fell apart; receiving talent was shaky, injuries riddled the team, and at times it felt like the offense was being glued together on a week-to-week basis. When the play around the offense breaks down, quarterbacks will hold the ball, waiting for something that does not materialize, forcing a creation that ends in a hit that does not just come from protection issues.<\/p>\n Jayden Daniels sacked for the second time and this one is a big loss because of the long dropback.<\/p>\n From 2nd and 7 to 3rd and 20. #HTTC<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/tm5AaNTXP1<\/a><\/p>\n\n
Commanders Quarterback Jayden Daniels: The Similarities to Andrew Luck<\/h3>\n
Is the Offensive Line Entirely to Blame?<\/h3>\n
\n