Jayden Daniels of the LSU Tigers is a quarterback, and the Washington Commanders may or may not already be convinced to select him with the second pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Former NFL player and current ESPN analyst Matt Bowen outlined the reasons why Washington is Daniels’ “ideal landing spot” in a piece that was published on Friday.
“New Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury could get the best out of Daniels, who can be schemed as a true dual-threat player, maximising his throwing traits and dynamic movement ability,” Bowen stated. “Using a mix of 11 and 12 personnel with elements from Kingsbury’s spread background, Daniels can be put in a position to showcase his field vision, where he can deliver the ball with anticipation and accuracy from the pocket.”
The Chicago Bears will select USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams first overall in the upcoming draft, that much is agreed upon as of the first Friday in April. Although Daniels was certain to start at number two in mock drafts all of March, it now appears that Washington has a legitimate chance to select Michigan Wolverines signal-caller J.J. McCarthy with the second overall pick.
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Daniels has been compared to three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes and Philadelphia Eagles star Randall Cunningham by those bullish on him. Some are concerned about his stature and accuracy.
Regarding how Kingsbury would employ Daniels, Bowen continued, “The rookie can also work off [run-pass option plays] and be used on designed rushes, where he has electric agility.” “Daniels ran for 527 yards and nine touchdowns on 58 designed carries in 2023, an average of 9.1 yards per rush.”
“The best quarterback in the draft is” Daniels, as ESPN NFL analyst and former quarterback Dan Orlovsky has often told anyone who would listen. The Commanders can gladly acquire Daniels at pick No. 2 after letting Williams go to Chicago if those in charge agree. Bowen obviously believes that this is the best course of action for Daniels’ future, but other insiders speculate that Kingsbury and company could actually prefer McCarthy.
However, in their most recent mock drafts, CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards and Tom Fornelli both predicted that Washington will surprise everyone by selecting North Carolina Tar Heels player Drake Maye second overall.
