Even before Sunday night. Even before his left elbow went in a direction no elbows should venture, Jayden Daniels’ sophomore NFL season was a big letdown.
Last season’s rookie of the year came into 2025 ranked as one of the top five fantasy quarterback prospects. Not surprising after he led the mildly-talented Washington Commanders into the NFC championship game in January.
But he has underwhelmed. Averaging less than 200 passing yards per game. And while he has eight touchdown passes and two TD runs, more was expected.
He’s not alone. Here are some other fantasy disappointments in the season’s first half:
Saquon Barkley (Eagles RB): We knew he wasn’t going to duplicate his 2,000-yard career season from 2024, but come on! Ranked as RB3 in the preseason, he’s averaging a little more than 80 total yards per game. And his TD total of six is held down, again, by Jalen Hurts and all of those Tush Pushes.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Chase Brown (Bengals RB): Cincinnati hit the skids after Joe Burrow went down, and Brown bore some of the collateral damage, tallying less than 70 total yards per game and scoring three TDs. Not terrible, but not great for the preseason RB6.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (30) hurdles Chicago Bears defensive back Kevin Byard III (31) on a run during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
A.J. Brown (Eagles WR): The WR5 of summer has turned into a pumpkin of autumn. Averaging just four catches for 55 yards per game, and only three scores to boot.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) walks off the field after a win over the Minnesota Vikings in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Nico Collins (Texans WR): Houston’s offense has disappointed, and Collins is one reason why. He’s averaging a modest five catches for 59 yards, and just three touchdowns.
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) stretches for a first down in the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker)
Brian Thomas Jr. (Jaguars WR): Came into the season as WR10. Seems a long time ago. Averaging just four catches for about 50 yards. He has but one TD reception and a single TD run.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) runs after catching a pass in front of Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson (35) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
David Njoku (Browns TE): It’s been a great year for tight ends, but not for the preseason TE12. Just two touchdowns for the lowly Cleveland offense, with about four catches and 37 yards per game.
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) lines up for a play against the New England Patriots in the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Kyler Murray (Cardinals QB): It’s telling that he has been outplayed by backup Jacoby Brissett since his foot injury. Though ranked ninth in summer, Murray has averaged under 200 passing yards per game, with just six passing TDs and a lone TD scramble.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up against the Green Bay Packers during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Harrison Butker (Chiefs K): Remember when this opinionated fellow was a perennial top kicker? Not anymore. His 65 points rank only eighth in the league, and he has missed three of his past eight tries from beyond 40 yards.
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, left, misses a field goal attempt against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Sitting stars
Packers quarterback Jordan Love disappointed last week against Carolina, and he’ll be even more disappointing against the Eagles. … Whichever running back lines up for Tampa Bay, Bucky Irving or Rachaad White, they will have trouble with tough New England run defense. … New Orleans RB Alvin Kamara won’t do much against Carolina’s improved D. … Two receivers that will be kept in check are Pittsburgh’s D.K. Metcalf against the Chargers and Jets’ Garrett Wilson versus the Browns. … Indy QB Daniel Jones looked like his old bad self last week, and he may again versus Atlanta. … And with Daniels out, there are really no Commanders you can be confident in against an angry Detroit squad.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) on the field before an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps
Matchup game
Baltimore’s defense still isn’t great, so Vikings we expect to thrive this week include RB Aaron Jones and WR Jordan Addison. … Miami stinks, but De’Von Achane is still a great starting option against Buffalo. … Chicago RB Kyle Monangai could have another big week against Giants with D’Andre Swift still ailing. … Three tight ends to start this week are Vegas’ revived Brock Bowers vs. Denver, Detroit’s Sam LaPorta against Washington and the Chargers’ Oronde Gadsden against Pittsburgh. … Hot and cold Houston QB C.J. Stroud might be sizzling when he faces Jacksonville.
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) runs with the football as Detroit Lions safety Thomas Harper (12) tries to tackle during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Injury watch
The heck with injuries. The bye week is the bigger scourge this week with Chiefs, Cowboys, Bengals and Titans out of action. … Other than Daniels, the biggest injury was the season-ending knee damage suffered by Packers tight end Tucker Kraft. The long list of questionables includes two running backs (Browns’ Quinshon Judkins, Patriots’ Rhamondre Stevenson), five pass catchers (Rams’ Puca Nacua, Bucs’ Chris Godwin, Seahawks’ Cooper Kupp, Pats’ Kayshon Boutte, Packers’ Matthew Golden) and two quarterbacks (49ers’ Brock Purdy, Cardinals’ Murray).
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) carries during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Deepest sleeper
Jacksonville kicker Cam Little was having a bit of a sophomore slump, missing four of eight coming into Sunday’s game. Then he broke the NFL record with a 68-yard field goal. The former Razorback’s kick would have been good from at least 72 yards. So you might want to grab him if your kicking slot is currently filled by a mediocrity.
Jacksonville Jaguars place kicker Cam Little (39) makes a 68-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
The Thursday pick
Raiders at Broncos (-9½)
Pick: Broncos by 7
Jordan Poyer #21 of the Miami Dolphins tackles Brock Bowers #89 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 17, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
You can hear Kevin Cusick on Thursdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on X– @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.
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