How top picks Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels performed in their NFL preseason debuts

By Jenna West, Kevin Fishbain and Ben Standig

Saturday’s preseason action gave NFL fans their first glimpse of quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, the Nos. 1 and 2 picks of this year’s draft, and the rookies delivered.

The Buffalo Bills hosted the Chicago Bears, who played Williams for the entire first quarter. He delivered a throw late in the quarter that made everyone’s eyes go wide when Williams rolled to his right and, on the run, threw a 26-yard pass to Cole Kmet. It might’ve been slightly behind Kmet, but the arm strength to make that throw while moving to his right is rare.

Both of Williams’ drives ended in field goals, giving the Bears an early lead against the Bills, who started Josh Allen.

Williams finished with 4 of 7 with 95 throwing yards, while he added one carry for 13 rushing yards. Backup Tyson Bagent took over in the second quarter.

Caleb Williams is MONEY on the run.

📺: #CHIvsBUF on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/otxvQ2oyCV

— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2024

In New York, Daniels and the Washington Commanders took on the Jets. The anticipation for Daniels’ debut, even in the preseason, became must-see TV from the moment Washington drafted the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. His dual-threat capabilities shined on the opening possession.

Daniels, a passer who runs, uncorked a perfect 42-yard strike down the right side to wide receiver Dyami Brown on third-and-six to New York’s 24-yard line. Facing third-and-three from the Jets’ three-yard line after a pair of first downs, Daniels faked a handoff on the zone read and bounced outside for an easy touchdown run to the right corner of the end zone.

Jayden Daniels keeps it for the TD on his opening drive 🔥 @JayD__5

📱: Stream #WASvsNYJ on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/HbRsYFo9m6

— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2024

That was all the coaching staff needed to see, especially with a shorthanded offensive line; Washington’s top three tackles were ruled out. Daniels finished 2-of-3 for 45 yards with the three-yard scamper on the 11-play, 70-yard opening drive. Marcus Mariota took over on the next possession and Daniels’ day was over.

How did Williams look?

It looked similar to his training camp struggles when Williams dropped back for his first NFL pass. The pocket eventually collapsed, he was forced to scramble, Darnell Wright was flagged for holding and Williams eventually threw it away as he got to the sideline. But he kept his eyes downfield the entire time, and two plays later, he calmly went through his reads before hitting DJ Moore for a first down on third-and-12.

On the next play, Williams didn’t panic against the rush and got the ball to D’Andre Swift on a screen pass. It might’ve been a no-look pass, too. Swift took it 42 yards.
The following drive went 74 yards on 12 plays and featured two more Williams completions and a 13-yard scramble on third down — when Williams used his slip n’ slide skills to slide in the open field. — Kevin Fishbain, Bears staff writer

Caleb Williams’ first completion is a laser for a first down

📺: #CHIvsBUF on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/934KG1UBTw

— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2024

What ignited his throw to Kmet?

An illegal contact on third down when Williams tried to find wide receiver Rome Odunze ignited that drive. I noticed Williams was pretty adamant a flag be thrown, and he was fired up about the new set of downs. Then he got to work. Kmet and Moore dropped would-be completions, and when Williams’ heave to Odunze on third down in the back of the end zone was too high, you could tell Williams saw an opening and wanted it.

The offense didn’t have any pre-snap penalties, which was a priority for head coach Matt Eberflus. While Williams would’ve liked to have found the end zone, he did plenty to show the potential of what’s to come. — Fishbain

How is Daniels settling in with Washington?

Passing highlights or low moments typically define the perception of a quarterback, especially for a rookie arriving on the scene. Yet the other aspects of the job that require smarts and maturity stood out to coach Dan Quinn in training camp.

The pass to Brown was a strong example. Speaking on the local television broadcast in the first half, running back Austin Ekeler said Daniels checked out of a screen pass to target the receiver running long.

“I had high expectations for (Daniels) coming in,” Quinn said earlier in the week, “but I would say he’s definitely surpassed even my expectations of the readiness, the command. I knew he was going to be cool, knowing the system. He’s just got that way about him.”

The Jets sat 28 players for Saturday’s preseason opener while the Commanders sat 11, including tight end Zach Ertz. That’s important context, especially since Washington’s offense generated minimal yards in Thursday’s rain-soaked joint practice against New York’s first-string defense. However, Daniels displayed poise and steady decision-making. He continued to protect the ball, a habit that’s been constant all training camp.

“It feels like the game is starting to slow down for (Daniels) even more,” McLaurin continued. “Coming in, he had a great feel (for) his ball placement and his anticipation. I think that’s what really sets him apart.

As offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury installed more of the system, Daniels began showing off his arm talent with pinpoint throws down the field. The completion to Brown was quite the example.

Jayden Daniels launches it DEEP on his second throw

📱: Stream #WASvsNYJ on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/tGSoMxc4gI

— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2024

Teammates have praised Daniels’ work ethic — the 23-year-old is among the first to the team facility before practices — and locker room camaraderie. The rookie arrived for Saturday’s game in a Doug Williams jersey. Williams won the 1987 Super Bowl with Washington and currently works as a senior advisor to the team. — Ben Standig, Commanders senior writer

Will Daniels get the starting gig?

Quinn has yet to name the starter for Washington’s Week 1 matchup at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There is no drama here. Daniels will get the gig. He’s earned the opportunity. That’s different from saying he will light up the league from the jump. He’ll need help, and the offensive line questions remain. After one preseason drive, so do the sky-high expectations. — Standig

Required reading

(Photo: Mark Konezny / USA Today)