Analyst names 'ideal landing spot' for QB Jayden Daniels

The Washington Commanders may or may not already be sold on making LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels the second pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. 

For a piece published Friday, former NFL player and current ESPN analyst Matt Bowen explained why Washington is the "ideal landing spot" for Daniels. 

"New Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury could get the best out of Daniels, who can be schemed as a true dual-threat player, maximizing his throwing traits and dynamic movement ability," Bowen said. "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."

As of the first Friday in April, the only thing everyone agrees on regarding the upcoming draft is that the Chicago Bears will take USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams first overall. While Daniels had been locked in at the No. 2 spot in mock drafts throughout March, it now seems there's a real chance that Washington could grab Michigan Wolverines signal-caller J.J. McCarthy with the second overall choice. 

Those high on Daniels have compared him to Philadelphia Eagles legend Randall Cunningham and to three-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Patrick Mahomes. Others are worried about his accuracy and size. 

"The rookie can also work off [run-pass option plays] and be used on designed rushes, where he has electric agility," Bowen added about how Kingsbury could use Daniels. "Daniels ran for 527 yards and nine touchdowns on 58 designed carries in 2023, an average of 9.1 yards per rush."

ESPN NFL analyst and former quarterback Dan Orlovsky has repeatedly told anybody who will listen that "the best quarterback in the draft is" Daniels. If those running the Commanders agree, they can let Williams go to Chicago and then happily acquire Daniels at pick No. 2. Bowen clearly thinks such an outcome is what's best for Daniels' future, but more than a few insiders believe Kingsbury and company may prefer McCarthy. 

Then again, both Josh Edwards and Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports predicted in their latest mock drafts that Washington will surprise everybody and take Drake Maye of the North Carolina Tar Heels second overall.