A new staff in Washington will have the opportunity with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Commanders are likely to select a quarterback, with LSU‘s Jayden Daniels being the guy in Mel Kiper’s Mock Draft 3.0.
Kliff Kingsbury is the offensive coordinator and has a history with quarterbacks. He was Patrick Mahomes‘ head coach at Texas Tech before moving to the NFL and selecting Kyler Murray with the Arizona Cardinals. Two different types of prospects coming out of college, ESPN’s Matt Miller believes Daniels is a mixture of the two.
“I think Jayden Daniels is a little bit of a combination of those two in terms of what you’re getting as a prospect coming out of college,” Miller said Tuesday on ESPN2. “Not who he’s going to be… Some of that ability is going to fit great in this scheme.
Mahomes, as a prospect, was known for his arm and downfield potential. He was special at times showing off his throwing ability. Murray was also considered a great passer, but his athleticism and making plays outside of the pocket vaulted him to No. 1 despite size questions.
Daniels did more than show off that he has the capability to do both while at LSU. Brain Kelly made it a point of emphasis last offseason to make Daniels an elite downfield thrower. The stats proved the job was done.
And then his rushing numbers against SEC foes are certainly eye-popping. Just the combination Washington needs with a good, young group of weapons.
“The downfield passing ability with Jahon Dotson, Terry McLaurin is exactly what Jayden Daniels needs from an offensive coordinator,” Miller said. “Twenty two touchdowns, zero picks on passes over 20 yards this year. Over 1,200 yards rushing in the SEC the last two years. He does not turn the ball over. So, from a scheme fit, it’s perfect for Washington.”
Nobody truly knows what the Commanders will do with the pick. North Carolina‘s Drake Maye could be an option as well and is considered to be in the same category as Daniels, right behind Caleb Williams — who is likely going No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears. Seeing Maye second off the board would not be too big of a surprise.
But Miller knows who he would take if he were running the show in Washington. The combination of Daniels and Kingsbury might be too good of an opportunity to pass up.
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