Burgundy & Gold Reaction: Jayden Daniels Leadership and Washington’s Next Steps

Posted on by

November 4, 2026

by David Earl

Jayden Daniels Leadership on Display

Jayden Daniels did not open the game strong, missing on a few key plays but we saw him having words with the offense after Chig Okonkwo‘s fumbled and set the Eagles up inside the 30 yard line. Before that play, Washington also received ineligible man downfield and false start penalties which again is a continued problem with this team during the worst possible moments in the game. The leader many have questioned whether he can be did, at least for one night, appear and not just in what he said but also in the way Daniels led by example on the field. Here is what Jayden Daniels did in the first quarter compared to the rest of the game –  this could be that turning point in this season and his career we as fans could point back to:

• 1st Quarter Stats: 5 completions on 13 passing attempts for 26 passing yards (38.5% CMP%) and 0 passing touchdowns, plus an average air yards per target of 8.9 yards and a yards per reception average of 5.2 yards.
• 2nd, 3rd and 4th Quarter Stats Combined: 11 completions on 16 passing attempts for 191 passing yards (68.8% CMP%) and 1 passing touchdown, plus 2 rushing carries for 23 rushing yards, an average air yards per target of 11.2 yards, and a yards per reception average of 17.4 yards.

Washington Be Buyers at Trade Deadline?

It is easy to throw away the season with a 2-4-1 record, especially when a win against the Philadelphia Eagles certainly comes with an asterisk as they Eagles offense was not even even remotely healthy. I know Washington has their fair share of injuries as well, but the Eagles offense is absolutely decimated. The Eagles defense was healthy on the most part and after a slow start Washington began to show more continuity. When you look at the win against Seattle and the near perfect second half performance against the 49ers, this team has shown the ability to play at a high level. They just need to begin playing a full 60 minute game and eliminate the terrible ill timed penalties taking away plays at key moments in the game. The addition of Trey Amos has also made its mark on the defense which is where I start if Washington chooses to be buyers heading into the trade deadline.

If Washington believes they have the opportunity to make a serious postseason push, maximizing this trade deadline window requires pulling off the right moves before that deadline. Upgrading the secondary is a priority, especially given how drastically their pass defense changed based on who is on the field with Trey Amos back in the lineup. Without Amos in the lineup during Weeks 1-5, Washington (per NFL Next Gen Stats) was terrible, ranking 25th in expected points added per dropback, 27th in success rate, and coughing up 268.8 passing yards a game. When Amos returned for Weeks 6-8, things completely turned around. The defense surged to 7th in expected points added per dropback, 5th in success rate, and cut down yards allowed to 238 per game. Bringing in Budda Baker or Riq Woolen would immediately turn a shaky depth chart into very strong group. Baker has been highly productive this year, logging 51 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, 4 passes defended, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble. While Woolen has been inconsistent at times, he has been effective on the boundary totaling 30 combined tackles, 6 passes defended, and 1 forced fumble.

Because of their ages, these guys might just be one-year rentals. Management has to have confidence that this roster is ready to turn the season around right now before trading away draft assets for short-term fixes. Jonathan Taylor is another veteran near the back end of his prime who makes total sense. He has at least two more years of high-end production left in the tank to carry the ground game but his compensation will most likely be too high. Targeting him makes sense but adding running backs at this stage of their career is very tricky. There’s also an argument for offensive tackle Austin Jackson to help keep the pocket clean for Jayden Daniels, especially with the interior line struggling. However, shuffling the line by kicking Brandon Coleman back inside to left guard after he already moved to left tackle to cover Laremy Tunsil‘s injury could prove to be a rough transition. The coaching staff will likely avoid making that adjustment mid-season.

My personal talking dream target would be the wide receiver position specially Garrett Wilson and Brian Thomas Jr. Of these two, Wilson will carry the highest price tag most likely but I believe the front office needs to go all-in on wide receiver. While Brian Thomas is reported to require a first-round pick, there is more flexibility in negotiations that could shift the draft pick compensation a day 2 pick or multiple later round picks. I believe this should be a serious consideration because the season-ending patella tendon injury to Terry McLaurin casts a major shadow over his future in Washington, and with Stefon Diggs getting older, the offense desperately needs a true cornerstone pass-catcher. Landing either Garrett Wilson or Brian Thomas Jr. would be an absolute home run. The best part of this move is neither of these guys are a short-term investment. Trading for them gives Jayden Daniels a potential immediate elite weapon for this season’s possible playoff run while securing a long-term, dynamic future alongside promising rookie receiver Antonio Williams. That all said, here is the list of rumored available players before the trade deadline:

Budda Baker (FS, Arizona Cardinals) — Age: 30
  • 2026 Season Stats: 51 total tackles (26 solo, 25 assisted), 3.5 sacks, 4 passes defended, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble through 8 games.
  • Career Stats (Prior to 2026): 737 total tackles, 8 interceptions, 10.0 sacks.
  • Projected Compensation: A solid 3rd-round draft selection or a package centering on a 4th-rounder due to his high-level production leading the Cardinals’ defense.
Brian Thomas Jr. (WR, Jacksonville Jaguars) — Age: 24
  • 2026 Season Stats: 10 receptions for 117 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns across 7 games played.
  • Career Stats (Prior to 2026): 1,282 receiving yards as a standout premier rookie.
  • Projected Compensation: A premium, high-value asset commandingly valued at a late 2027 first-round pick or a guaranteed top-tier early second-round pick.
Austin Jackson (OT, Miami Dolphins) — Age: 27
  • 2026 Season Profile: Logged 7 starts at right tackle before a recent ankle injury landing him on the injured reserve list thinned the Dolphins’ offensive line depth.
  • Career Stats (Prior to 2026): 46 career starts, providing established, high-flexibility experience along the perimeter.
  • Projected Compensation: Dropped slightly to a conditional 4th-round or 5th-round draft asset following the injury timeline.
Tony Pollard (RB, Tennessee Titans) — Age: 29
  • 2026 Season Stats: 133 carries for 595 rushing yards (4.5 YPC) and 6 touchdowns, paired with 14 receptions for 70 yards through 8 games.
  • Career Stats (Prior to 2026): 3,621 rushing yards, 23 rushing touchdowns.
  • Projected Compensation: Risen to an early 4th-round or strong 5th-round draft choice given his excellent mid-season production surging out of the backfield.
Kristian Fulton (CB, Kansas City Chiefs) — Age: 28
  • 2026 Season Stats: 5 combined tackles and 1 interception through 6 games played with his new squad.
  • Career Stats (Prior to 2026): 4 interceptions, 25 pass deflections.
  • Projected Compensation: Projected 6th-round or conditional late-round pick as he plays out a depth role in the secondary.
Garrett Wilson (WR, New York Jets) — Age: 26
  • 2026 Season Stats: 43 receptions for 527 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns across 8 games played.
  • Career Stats (Prior to 2026): 352 receptions, 4,088 receiving yards, and 21 touchdowns.
  • Projected Compensation: Commandingly valued at a minimum of two future first-round picks or an elite premier player package, though ESPN’s top insiders report the Jets have adamantly refused trade inquiries.
Jonathan Taylor (RB, Indianapolis Colts) — Age: 27
  • 2026 Season Stats: 148 rushing attempts for 610 rushing yards (4.1 YPC) and 8 touchdowns, plus 21 receptions for 202 yards through 8 games.
  • Career Stats (Prior to 2026): 1,652 rushing attempts, 7,996 rushing yards, and 75 rushing touchdowns.
  • Projected Compensation: A high 2nd-round pick plus conditional day-three assets, reflecting his rare workhorse tier profile.
Josh Downs (WR, Indianapolis Colts) — Age: 25
  • 2026 Season Stats: 30 receptions for 330 receiving yards (11.0 YPR) and 1 touchdown across 8 games played.
  • Career Stats (Prior to 2026): 112 receptions, 1,473 receiving yards, and 4 touchdowns.
  • Projected Compensation: A 4th-round draft choice, tracking similarly to recent day-three draft capital swaps for highly talented pass-catchers playing on expiring contracts.
Riq Woolen (CB, Philadelphia Eagles) — Age: 27
  • 2026 Season Stats: 30 combined tackles (23 solo, 7 assisted), 6 passes defended, and 1 forced fumble through 8 games played.
  • Career Stats (Prior to 2026): 12 interceptions, 57 pass breakups, and a 2022 Pro Bowl selection.
  • Projected Compensation: Valued at a solid 4th-round pick or high-upside 5th-round asset due to his incredibly team-friendly $1.26 million base salary.

0