We’re now at the official midway point of the NFL season, and one thing is crystal clear: Washington has the league’s No. 1 sensation.

Jayden Daniels came to the Commanders with a Heisman Trophy and a sterling resume from his days at LSU. And he has not disappointed, leading Washington to a 6-2 record and first place in the NFC East.

He also pulled off the play of the season last Sunday, launching the game-winning, 65-yard Hail Mary pass that stunned the Chicago Bears, and the football world.

Despite Daniels’ potential for such magic, fantasy mavens let him pass into the later rounds of their summer drafts.

Many of those who took a chance on the rookie quarterback are now leading their leagues. Here are our picks for the most valuable fantasy assets through Week 8:.

Quarterback: Jayden Daniels (Commanders): We’re still a bit concerned about his slight build and risk of injury, but you can’t argue with the numbers: 1,736 yards and seven touchdowns through the air, 424 yards and four TDs. on the ground. A rookie of the year shoo-in and a top-three candidate for Most Valuable Player.
Runners-up: Lamar Jackson (Ravens), Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers), Josh Allen (Bills)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) throws the ball during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 in Landover. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)

Running back: Derrick Henry (Ravens): The move to Baltimore has done this future hall of famer a world of good, as he leads the league with just over 1,000 total yards and 11 touchdowns. He has 181 more rushing yards than anyone else and has a shot at being the first player in history to record a second 2,000-yard season.
Runners-up: Saquon Barkley (Eagles), Alvin Karmara (Saints), Kyren Williams (Rams).

Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens carries the ball for a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on Oct. 13, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Wide receiver: Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals): The former LSU standout has fully recovered from his 2023 shoulder injury. He leads the league with 674 receiving yards and seven TD receptions despite playing for a Cincinnati offense that has stagnated, winning only three of eight games.
Runners-up: Justin Jefferson (Vikings), Chris Godwin (Buccaneers), CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys).

Ja’Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals catches a pass for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Paycor Stadium on Oct. 27, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Tight end: George Kittle (49ers): Where would San Fran be without its standout TE, filling the void caused by the absences of Christian McCafftey, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. Kittle has 503 receiving yards and leads all tight ends with six TD catches.
Runners-up: Brock Bowers (Raiders), Tucker Kraft (Packers), Kyle Pitts (Falcons).

George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers dives for the pylon after a catch and run during the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium on Oct. 27, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Defense-special teams: Broncos: Sean Payton’s team is a surprising sixth in the AFC, mostly because of its defense. It has produced an Orange Crush-like 30 sacks, 12 turnovers, two safeties and a pair of defensive touchdowns.
Runners-up: Vikings, Bears, 49ers.

Riley Moss #21 of the Denver Broncos celebrates with teammates after an interception during the third quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field At Mile High on Oct. 06, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Kicker: Brandon Aubrey (Cowboys): He’s one of the lone stars in Dallas this season, and he has surpassed Baltimore’s Justin Tucker as World’s Best Kicker. He has a season-long field-goal of 65 yards, and from 50 and beyond has made 8 of 9 this season and 18 of 19 for his career.
Runners-up: Ka’imi Fairbairn (Texas), Austin Seibert (Commanders), Chris Boswell (Steelers).

Brandon Aubrey #17 of the Dallas Cowboys kicks a field goal during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on Oct. 27, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Sitting stars

The Packers-Lions showdown looks like a big passing day, which will limit the value of Green Bay RB Josh Jacobs. … Vikings RB Aaron Jones will have a harder time running on the Colts without star lineman Christian Darrisaw. … Eagles RB Saquon Barkley will continue to get cheated out of goal-line opportunities by the Tush-Pushing Jalen Hurts. … The Browns’ tough defense will keep Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins in check. … It won’t be a great day for New York receivers: the Giants’ Malik Nabers vs. Washington or the Jets’ Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams against the Texans. … The Chiefs’ Xavier Worthy won’t catch many passes against Tampa Bay. … And the Bills’ usual dominance of Miami will devalue QB Tua Tagovailoa and WR Jaylen Waddle.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) hands off to running back Josh Jacobs (8) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Matchup game

This looks like a good week for running backs. We especially like Washington’s Brian Robinson vs. the Giants, Patriots’ Rhamondre Stevenson vs. Tennessee and Bears’ D’Andre Swift vs. Arizona. … Speaking of the Cardinals, rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr. will continue to blossom vs. Chicago. … Houston WR Tank Dell will have a big day against the fading Jets … It won’t be National Tight End Day again, but Chiefs’ Travis Kelce (vs. Bucs) and Packers’ Tucker Kraft (vs. Lions) will be worth celebrating. … Atlanta’s combo of Kirk Cousins and Kyle Pitts will have a big day against Dallas … And it will be Veteran QBs Day, at least for Matthew Stafford against Seattle and Indy’s Joe Flacco against the Vikings.

LANDOVER, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 27: Brian Robinson Jr. #8 of the Washington Commanders is hit by Elijah Hicks #22 of the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Injury watch

One former Viking, Stefon Diggs, is done for the season. But a current Viking, T.J. Hockenson, could make his season debut against Indianapolis. … All eyes are on Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love, who is questionable with a groin injury. … The list of noteworthy questionables includes two other QBs (New Orleans’ Derek Carr and the Patriots’ Drake Maye), two running backs (Jaguars’ Travis Etienne and Dallas’ Rico Dowdle) and a bunch of pass catchers (Bengals’ Tee Higgins, Seahawks’ D.K. Metcalf, new Raven Diontae Johnson, Philly tight end Dallas Goedert and three Jaguars: Brian Thomas, Gabe Davis and Christian Kirk).

Stefon Diggs #1 of the Houston Texans reacts during the first half of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium on Sept. 29, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Deepest sleeper

Cleveland quarterback Jameis Winston went from completely off the radar to center stage. He has 401 yards and four TD passes in the four-plus quarters since the third-string emergency QB came in against Cincinnati. The Browns’ upcoming schedule is not onerous, so it might be worthwhile grabbing a passer who has thrown for 22,531 yards and 145 touchdowns in his 10-year career. And he might help fantasy mavens eat a few W’s along the way.

Jameis Winston #5 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after his team’s 29-24 win against the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field on Oct. 27, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

The Thursday pick

Texans at Jets (+3½):
Pick: Texans by 7

Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets reacts during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 14, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.

Related Articles

The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 8: Last-minute moves

The Loop NFL Picks: Week 8

The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 7: Last-minute moves

The Loop NFL Picks: Week 7

The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 6: Last-minute moves