Draft guru, Colin Cowherd explain Commanders' plans for No. 2 draft pick

Coaches, scouts and executives within the NFL community continue to believe the Washington Commanders should and will make LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels the second pick of the 2024 NFL Draft after the Chicago Bears (probably) take USC Trojans star Caleb Williams first overall. 

ESPN NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. and FS1 personality Colin Cowherd addressed such takes on Thursday. 

Per Gayle Troiani of NESN, Kiper told Scott Abraham of 7News DC that Daniels is a better fit for a scheme embraced by new Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury than options such as Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy and North Carolina Tar Heels signal-caller Drake Maye.

"We’re also into how you tailor your offense to suit what the quarterback does," Kiper explained. "When Lamar Jackson [went to the Baltimore Ravens], and they had Joe Flacco, they had to change from a pocket passer to a Lamar Jackson, who is a dual threat. You get Jayden Daniels. He’s a dual threat. No reason to overthink it. When the organization has a pick, you need a new quarterback; if you’re Washington, you don’t overthink this. You take the obvious choice, which is Jayden Daniels."

While Adam Schefter of ESPN remains convinced Washington will select Daniels at No. 2, others insist McCarthy could be the pick on the night of April 25. One report has even suggested that Washington and the New England Patriots "may" have McCarthy as QB1 on their draft boards. 

The Patriots hold the draft's third selection. 

Meanwhile, Cowherd said earlier in the week he had "been told" the Commanders would choose Daniels "as of today." Cowherd repeated during Thursday's edition of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" program that he has "been told Jayden Daniels of LSU is going to be who Washington currently favors as their pick." 

"Jayden Daniels' athletic ability, it’s a little Lamar Jackson, not quite but he can really run, is the kind of quarterback that will endure as you’re rebuilding your o-line," Cowherd added. 

As of Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Daniels as the betting favorite to be the draft's second pick at -165 odds. There's no indication Washington will trade out of No. 2 heading into the second weekend of April.