The Washington Commanders choose LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels with the second overall choice in multiple of the most recent NFL mock drafts for 2024.
Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN feels that Daniels is a better match for Washington than Drake Maye of North Carolina and J.J. McCarthy of Michigan in a “offense designed by Kliff Kingsbury.”
“We’re also interested in how you modify your offense to fit the quarterback’s style,” Kiper said to Scott Abraham of ABC News. “They had to switch from a pocket passer to a dual threat when Lemar Jackson arrived in Baltimore and they had Joe Flacco.”
Jayden Daniels is yours. He poses two threats at once. You don’t need to overthink it. You need a new quarterback when the organization has a pick; if you’re Washington, you don’t overthink this. You go with Jayden Daniels because it seems like the right option.
During the Thursday broadcast of “The Herd,” Colin Cowherd reiterated his claims that the Commanders were “favoring” Daniels.
“Even though we know who is going one, and from what I’ve heard, Washington’s current favorite is going to be LSU’s Jayden Daniels,” Cowherd added. “Now, as the Washington offensive line is in rebuild mode this year and next, I’ve just been told that if you look at his style and Kliff Kingsbury’s style and (Daniels’) ability, (…) 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.”
There were rumors circulating last week that Washington is considering Daniels and McCarthy. The Commanders like Maye, although it’s possible that those rumors were only “smokescreens” to keep the Commanders from revealing their intentions prior to the draft.
According to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, Daniels, Maye, and McCarthy are all expected to visit Washington in the next week.
Regardless of the Commanders’ selection, the Patriots will still have alternatives, even with Caleb Williams expected to go first overall.
Cowherd stated, “New England could go either way.” “They require a fresh roster. At three, New England is in need of a quarterback. What they actually require, barring a drop from Jayden Daniels, which I do not believe is happening. However, since he is mobile and there are no playwrights in New England, he might work there for a little while if it materializes.
According to Kiper, the Patriots will choose quarterback Maye over wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in order to select their franchise quarterback.
Kiper added, “Of course, when they drafted Mac Jones in 2021, they thought they were doing that.” In general, New England retained all of its important free agents.
