Could the NFL See Another LSU Duo Dominate? Jayden Daniels and Aaron Anderson Eye Electric Reunion in Washington
When it comes to college quarterback-wide receiver duos transitioning their chemistry to the NFL, few partnerships have made waves quite like Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. Their 2019 season at LSU remains one of the most iconic campaigns in college football history, and their continued success with the Cincinnati Bengals has only amplified the fascination around college teammates reconnecting at the professional level. Now, another LSU reunion may be on the horizon, and it could electrify the Washington Commanders’ offense in the years ahead.
CBS Sports NFL reporter Ryan Wilson has sparked excitement by projecting LSU wide receiver Aaron Anderson to join forces once again with Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. Wilson’s early 2026 NFL mock draft has Washington selecting Anderson with the 26th overall pick, potentially recreating some of the LSU magic that powered Daniels to Heisman Trophy glory in 2023.
The comparison to Burrow and Chase is inevitable. In 2019, Burrow shattered records by throwing for 5,671 yards, 60 touchdowns, and only six interceptions, earning the Heisman Trophy and ultimately being selected first overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. His primary target, Ja’Marr Chase, recorded 84 receptions for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns, playing alongside future NFL All-Pro Justin Jefferson. A year later, Chase followed Burrow to the Bengals as the fifth overall pick in the 2021 draft. Since reuniting in Cincinnati, Burrow and Chase have led the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance and another AFC Championship Game, while becoming two of the highest-paid players in NFL history.
Now, the possibility of Daniels and Anderson replicating that success in Washington is beginning to take shape. While Anderson’s collegiate resume isn’t as dominant as Chase’s, his skill set has NFL scouts intrigued. At 5-foot-8 and 188 pounds, Anderson may be undersized by traditional standards, but his quickness, agility, and blazing speed offer him an edge that few defenders can match. Described by Wilson as “undersized and twitchy with short-area quickness to win in small areas,” Anderson excels at creating separation from the slot, thriving in space, and using his track-level speed to turn short gains into explosive plays.
The numbers suggest Anderson still has work to do to solidify his place as a first-round prospect. In 2024, he caught 61 passes for 875 yards and five touchdowns. If he hopes to secure a first-round selection in 2026, he’ll need to elevate his production even further while playing alongside projected No. 1 overall pick Garrett Nussmeier at LSU this upcoming season. A stat line of roughly 80 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards, and double-digit touchdowns would likely put Anderson squarely in first-round territory.
Beyond the stats, Anderson’s draft stock may hinge heavily on his performance in pre-draft workouts. NFL teams will want to see if his speed on tape translates to elite measurables, specifically in the 40-yard dash. NFL Draft Scout projects Anderson could clock in at 4.38 seconds, a time that would cement his status as one of the fastest players in the draft class.
Anderson’s road to this point hasn’t been without its twists. Originally a member of Alabama’s 2022 recruiting class, he spent just one season with the Crimson Tide before transferring to LSU. His 2023 season with Daniels was modest statistically, recording 12 catches for 59 yards, but the foundation of their chemistry was laid.
Analysts believe the 2025 season will be crucial for both Anderson and LSU’s offense. According to Volume Pigs, “Nussmeier isn’t Joe Burrow and Anderson almost certainly isn’t Justin Jefferson or Ja’Marr Chase, but I feel that in 2025, LSU’s passing offense will be very strong, and that Anderson has a very good chance to be the lead target. By extension, that could mean that Anderson, who already checks in with significant production from 2024, would be in for a huge season.”
If Anderson capitalizes on that opportunity and showcases his explosiveness, the stage could be set for an NFL reunion with Daniels that mirrors the success of Burrow and Chase. Daniels, now the face of the Commanders’ rebuild, would benefit tremendously from adding a familiar target with whom he shares timing, trust, and on-field synergy.
Washington is banking on Daniels to lead them into a new era, and pairing him with a dynamic playmaker like Anderson could accelerate that process. The NFL has seen firsthand how valuable pre-existing chemistry can be between quarterbacks and wide receivers, especially when those partnerships were forged in the intense, high-pressure environment of the SEC.
While much remains to be determined between now and the 2026 NFL Draft, the potential storyline is already capturing imaginations. Another LSU reunion could be forming — and if history is any indicator, Jayden Daniels and Aaron Anderson could very well become the NFL’s next electric duo.
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