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

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By Jenna West, Kevin Fishbain and Ben Standig

Saturday’s preseason motion gave NFL followers their first glimpse of quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, the Nos. 1 and a couple of picks of this 12 months’s draft, and the rookies delivered.

The Buffalo Payments hosted the Chicago Bears, who performed Williams for all the first quarter. He delivered a throw late within the quarter that made everybody’s eyes go vast when Williams rolled to his proper and, on the run, threw a 26-yard cross to Cole Kmet. It would’ve been barely behind Kmet, however the arm power to make that throw whereas transferring to his proper is uncommon.

Each of Williams’ drives led to subject targets, giving the Bears an early lead in opposition to the Payments, who began Josh Allen.

Williams completed with 4 of seven with 95 throwing yards, whereas he added one carry for 13 dashing yards. Backup Tyson Bagent took over within the second quarter.

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

Daniels, a passer who runs, uncorked an ideal 42-yard strike down the fitting aspect to vast receiver Dyami Brown on third-and-six to New York’s 24-yard line. Dealing with third-and-three from the Jets’ three-yard line after a pair of first downs, Daniels faked a handoff on the zone learn and bounced outdoors for a simple landing run to the fitting nook of the top zone.

That was all of the teaching workers wanted to see, particularly with a shorthanded offensive line; Washington’s high three tackles have been dominated out. Daniels completed 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 following possession and Daniels’ day was over.

How did Williams look?

It seemed much like his coaching camp struggles when Williams dropped again for his first NFL cross. The pocket finally collapsed, he was pressured to scramble, Darnell Wright was flagged for holding and Williams finally threw it away as he bought to the sideline. However he stored his eyes downfield all the time, and two performs later, he calmly went by his reads earlier than hitting DJ Moore for a primary down on third-and-12.

On the following play, Williams didn’t panic in opposition to the push and bought the ball to D’Andre Swift on a display screen cross. It would’ve been a no-look cross, too. Swift took it 42 yards.
The next drive went 74 yards on 12 performs and featured two extra Williams completions and a 13-yard scramble on third down — when Williams used his slip n’ slide abilities to slip within the open subject. — Kevin Fishbain, Bears workers author

What ignited his throw to Kmet?

An unlawful contact on third down when Williams tried to search out vast receiver Rome Odunze ignited that drive. I observed Williams was fairly adamant a flag be thrown, and he was fired up concerning the new set of downs. Then he set to work. Kmet and Moore dropped would-be completions, and when Williams’ heave to Odunze on third down at the back of the top zone was too excessive, you might inform Williams noticed a gap and wished it.

The offense didn’t have any pre-snap penalties, which was a precedence for head coach Matt Eberflus. Whereas Williams would’ve preferred to have discovered the top zone, he did a lot to point out the potential of what’s to come back. — Fishbain

How is Daniels settling in with Washington?

Passing highlights or low moments sometimes outline the notion of a quarterback, particularly for a rookie arriving on the scene. But the opposite facets of the job that require smarts and maturity stood out to teach Dan Quinn in coaching camp.

The cross to Brown was a robust instance. Talking on the native tv broadcast within the first half, working again Austin Ekeler stated Daniels checked out of a display screen cross to focus on the receiver working lengthy.

“I had excessive expectations for (Daniels) coming in,” Quinn stated earlier within the week, “however I might say he’s positively surpassed even my expectations of the readiness, the command. I knew he was going to be cool, realizing the system. He’s simply bought that means about him.”

The Jets sat 28 gamers for Saturday’s preseason opener whereas the Commanders sat 11, together with tight finish Zach Ertz. That’s essential context, particularly since Washington’s offense generated minimal yards in Thursday’s rain-soaked joint apply in opposition to New York’s first-string protection. Nevertheless, Daniels displayed poise and regular decision-making. He continued to guard the ball, a behavior that’s been fixed all coaching camp.

“It seems like the sport is beginning to decelerate for (Daniels) much more,” McLaurin continued. “Coming in, he had an awesome really feel (for) his ball placement and his anticipation. I believe that’s what actually units him aside.

As offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury put in extra of the system, Daniels started exhibiting off his arm expertise with pinpoint throws down the sphere. The completion to Brown was fairly the instance.

Teammates have praised Daniels’ work ethic — the 23-year-old is among the many first to the crew facility earlier than practices — and locker room camaraderie. The rookie arrived for Saturday’s recreation in a Doug Williams jersey. Williams gained the 1987 Tremendous Bowl with Washington and at the moment works as a senior advisor to the crew. — Ben Standig, Commanders senior author

Will Daniels get the beginning gig?

Quinn has but to call the starter for Washington’s Week 1 matchup on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There is no such thing as a drama right here. Daniels will get the gig. He’s earned the chance. That’s totally different from saying he’ll gentle up the league from the soar. He’ll need assistance, and the offensive line questions stay. After one preseason drive, so do the sky-high expectations. — Standig

Required studying

(Photograph: Mark Konezny / USA As we speak)



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