The Washington Commanders‘ practice field is buzzing like a beehive. Surprisingly, it’s not just because of their new signal-caller, rookie tight end Ben Sinnott is quickly becoming Jayden Daniels‘ secret weapon, both in the huddle and in the film room. Sinnott, snagged with the 53rd pick, is already making waves in the nation’s capital as he is burning the midnight oil during camp, dissecting game tape, and fine-tuning routes. Sinnott’s game plan? Make life a cakewalk for his new quarterback.
“Through the mini rookie camp, it’s just been great to work with him,” Sinnott remarked in the Raising Hell With Rookies segment of Commanders YouTube channel on July 2. “Get in the film room with him, get on the field with him like, ‘Hey, what do you think about this? What do you think about this route? How do you want me to run it? Pick his brain and see how I can make his life easier and how he can make my life easier.” It’s this kind of synergy that turns good teams into gridiron legends.
The former Kansas State star is chomping at the bit to build a connection with Daniels, the second overall pick and potential franchise cornerstone to establish the greats of the Commanders. “It’s awesome,” Sinnott gushed about working with Daniels “Being able to grow with a guy, build that connection, build that chemistry on and off the field, it’s super important.” It’s music to the ears of Commanders fans, who’ve been starving for a dynamic duo forever.
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Of @Commanders draft picks not named Jayden Daniels, #82 TE Ben Sinnott is the pick I’m most excited to see. The 6-4, 245 2nd Rd pick is going to be a matchup problem! Hopefully, he’s used as effectively in the run & pass game as Chris Cooley was used during his Pro Bowl career! pic.twitter.com/Gds4pHHfBd
— Lou Holder (@HolderSports) May 23, 2024
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Sinnott could be just what the doctor ordered for Daniels. At K-State, Sinnott was a highlight reel waiting to happen, snagging 82 passes for 1,138 yards and 10 touchdowns. Those velcro-like hands and big-play ability could be the perfect safety net for the rookie quarterback.
Sinnott’s already singing Daniels’ praises.“He has the ability to make every throw,” Sinnott raved after the rookie camp last month. “You see it in film. He can run. He can extend plays and create explosive plays with his legs. He has all the intangibles, a natural leader,” Sinnott added. “He’s a guy who can bring all his teammates together.” That’s the kind of moxie that has NFL teams being cautious of this new but raw talent.
Are NFL teams breaking out in cold sweats because of Jayden Daniels’ enigma?
While Sinnott and Daniels are busy becoming the NFL’s next dynamic duo, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has made a shocking disclosure that has the latter under the limelight. “I’ve had multiple people bring up this week, unprompted, ‘I’m kind of scared what Washington could be with Jayden Daniels,'” Fowler reported this week.
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The buzz around Daniels isn’t just hot air. Fowler’s sources see shades of a certain MVP quarterback in the rookie. “It was brought up to me, the comp with Lamar Jackson,” Fowler said. “Maybe not quite as good of a runner as Jackson was, but good enough. But, a better passer at this stage of his career than Jackson was.”
Maybe, just maybe, these guys might be cooking something special in D.C. with Sinnott’s safe hands and Daniels who was awarded the Heisman Trophy (50 touchdowns overall and almost 5k yards in 2023). “Doing hard s*** with good people,” is how new head coach Dan Quinn put it.
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Quinn’s not about to let this golden opportunity slip through his fingers. He’s brought in offensive mastermind Kliff Kingsbury and seasoned vet Anthony Lynn to help mold Daniels into the NFL’s next superstar. It’s a recipe that could have the Commanders going from worst to first faster than you can say “Hail to the Commanders.”
The rest of the NFL might want to consider starting their game plans now because when Sinnott and Daniels take the field this autumn, it could very well be “game over” for their competition. Nonetheless, the upcoming season is going to be nothing short of a thriller as teams vie for mental and physical supremacy.