Michael Penix Readier than Commanders Jayden Daniels

“These guys can play quarterback, I think it’s a ____ good group.”

That was Chris Simms’ quick summary of what he thinks of this year’s NFL rookie quarterback class. He and co-host Mike Florio on Pro Football Talk last week were discussing 2024 rookie quarterbacks.

Simms even called this group “The Ready Rookies.” Interestingly enough, he was discussing his ranking of current NFL quarterbacks, 26-30.

Where was Commander Jayden Daniels in the Simms rankings? Daniels, the LSU rookie drafted second overall by the Commanders, was ranked 28th by Simms.

• 26. Will Levis
• 27. Michael Penix, Jr.
• 28. Jayden Daniels
• 29. Bo Nix
• 30. JJ McCarthy

Florio asked the obvious question, seeing that Daniels was drafted second, why did Simms rank Penix Jr. ahead of Daniels?

“Because my quarterback rating is where I think it will be in two or three years. I don’t want to judge everything about the rookie year now.

“I think Penix played a little more professionally,” Simms continued. “Jayden Daniels, I think there’s going to be a little more adjustment at first. The offense he played in college? I think there will be more versatility in the offense that he will get used to.

“We know he’s a special runner and all that, but he’s got to grow up to being in the pocket. Guys like Bo Nix and Caleb Williams are better scramblers to throw the ball than Jayden Daniels.

“He (Daniels) could learn to slide in the right spots and maybe be a little more patient in the pocket as well.”

“I believe Jayden Daniels will be better at some point, but right now, with this drill, I’m taking it like we’re in Week 1 or 2 of the regular season. I think Michael Penix is ​​a little further along in terms of his preparation for the NFL right now.

Well, Daniels is going to play, so he’ll have every opportunity to prove Simms wrong in his assessment that Penix is ​​more ready to play.