As the NFL Draft nears, teams have begun to make their final decisions on which player they intend to bring aboard to help them take a step forward in their quest to win the Super Bowl. This draft is special, particularly for the quarterback class, as the options available are plenty and each player has his own unique skill set. While the Chicago Bears have made their mind up to draft Caleb Williams with the first pick, the Washington Commanders appears to have taken a call on their draft choice as well.
Analyst Colin Cowherd revealed the Washington Commanders’ intent to draft Jayden Daniels from LSU with the second pick in this year’s draft.
I've been told the Washington Commanders, as of today would choose Jayden Daniels, LSU quarterback as their top pick... They believe he is more consistent than Drake Maye, he is quicker, more mobile than Drake Maye. Colin Cowherd stated via ‘The Herd’
The Commanders had met with multiple quarterbacks in order to arrive at their final decision. Drake Maye was a prospect they were closely looking at, the team considered him to be a dark horse candidate but after reviewing the performances of both the quarterbacks this season, Daniels turned out to be more consistent and had all the characteristics necessary to be a leader.
The New England Patriots had their eyes on drafting Jayden Daniels in the 2024 NFL Draft
The demand for the LSU quarterback has been high. The New England Patriots had shown interest in him at the NFL Combine, and at one point, it seemed that Boston would be his next destination. However, with the Commanders’ decision to scoop up Daniels with their second pick, he will now join a franchise that is slowly but most certainly rebuilding its roster as well as front office and management.
Daniels is the epitome of the modern quarterback. He is a dual-threat player who can run the ball just as well as he can throw it. In addition to that, his 6’4″ stature and ability to remain standing despite taking hits should translate well to the NFL game.
PFF gave Daniels an outstanding 99.2 passing grade, the highest amongst QBs. His IQ is considered to be off the charts, as he can identify blitzes and improvise on the go.
While Daniels comes with his own set of skills, critics have pointed out that his style of play will negatively impact his longevity in the league. Since he does not shy away from taking hits, he puts himself at a higher risk of being injured or suffering a concussion. The quarterback will need to adapt to the game as is the case with rookies.
Overall, Daniels is a great prospect, one who is suitable for the Commanders. With a new-look coaching staff and Kliff Kingsbury as the new offensive coordinator, the team can achieve a lot with Daniels at the helm.
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