This offseason, before ever taking a snap at the NFL level, Tampa Bay Buccaneers undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels was an unknown commodity.
That was reflected in FanSided’s preseason quarterback rankings, where a panel of 50 experts ranked Daniels as the No. 86 quarterback in the NFL, landing in the “Camp Arm” tier – a practice squad caliber player on the roster bubble.
Much has changed since then. Daniels won the Buccaneers’ backup quarterback job after delivering one of the most impressive preseasons across the NFL, and he even gained three games of starting experience during the regular season after Baker Mayfield went down with an injury.
Now that Daniels has gotten some exposure in the spotlight, he’s no longer just Tampa Bay’s best-kept secret, and public opinion has swung in his favor in a big way.
Jalon Daniels makes massive jump in FanSided’s midseason QB rankings
In FanSided’s midseason QB rankings, Daniels surged to the No. 54 spot, landing in the “Depth Piece” tier. That 32-spot jump was by far the largest of any quarterback in the NFL, and Daniels earned it.
The rookie finished the preseason 27-of-44 for 239 passing yards and a touchdown, along with 37 rushing yards and a touchdown.
In his three regular-season starts, his inexperience was on display, but that didn’t stop the rookie from showing flashes.
He completed 60-of-95 passes for 501 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions. He also rushed for 114 yards on 22 carries.
As the Buccaneers representative on the FanSided panel, I offered my own analysis of Daniels rankings, highlighting his long-term potential and opportunities for growth.
“Jalon Daniels’ stock has risen after a standout preseason and three regular-season starts in relief of an injured Baker Mayfield. The rookie is raw and still has plenty to clean up, but there’s no denying the exciting flashes of potential he showed with his rocket arm and elite speed. He’s one of the more physically gifted young quarterbacks in the NFL possessing the tools to develop into something special. Daniels has a future in this league as a high-end backup, and could even have starting potential if he can improve his accuracy and decision-making.”
For an undrafted rookie to already be viewed as a legitimate backup quarterback in the NFL is no small feat, especially knowing he hasn’t even scratched the surface of his potential. It’s no wonder why he was the biggest riser in FanSided’s QB rankings, and he’s only just getting started.
Add us as a preferred source on Google