Commanders Make Elite Move In Power Rankings Update

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Apr 9, 2025 11:17 AM ET

The Washington Commanders were the feel-good story of 2024 with Jayden Daniels and Dan Quinn leading the new regime to heights never thought to be seen again.

After a four-win season in 2023, Daniels led Washington to a 12-win regular season, plus two playoff victories and an NFC Championship appearance in Year 1.

That'll work.

The rebuild under Quinn and general manager Adam Peters is in full flow with Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil being signed in free agency as the Commanders look to take advantage of Daniels' rookie deal.

But how are the Commanders shaping up against the rest of the competition? For Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr, in his latest power rankings, Washington comes in at No. 8 overall and is the fourth-best team in the NFC.

"Is there anything Jayden Daniels doesn’t do well? As we sift through the remnants of last season, it appears he was even sacked better than any quarterback in the NFL," Orr writes.

Daniels was phenomenal in his rookie season as he won Offensive Rookie of the Year and did it at a canter too.

With the Commanders looking to go one step further in 2025, the moves made, coupled with the expected growth of several players including Daniels and the draftees taken in the next few weeks, there is every reason to think Washington will be one of the teams to beat in the NFC.

Of course, we know just because Year 1 was great doesn't mean Year 2 will be, but Daniels appears to be different gravy, and if he continues as he did last season, come the end of the year, Washington will be far higher than eighth in the power rankings.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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