Jayden Daniels NFL Draft Overview
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6’4″ (u)
Weight: 210 (u)
School: LSU
Jayden Daniels 2024 NFL Draft Profile, Team Fits
Jayden Daniels is one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2024 NFL draft. He started his collegiate career at Arizona State University after graduating high school early. Daniels was the first true freshman to play quarterback for ASU and was originally a raw prospect who relied heavily on his athleticism to move the ball down the field. ESPN named Daniels to their Freshman All-American team in 2019. Some Senior wide receiver was a third-team All-American that year, Brandon Aiyuk? Doesn’t ring any bells.
2020 saw a COVID-shortened season where Daniels only played in four games. All things considered, 2021 was a disaster of a season. He posted the most interceptions of his career (ten) and less than one passing touchdown per game. After underperforming in almost every metric, Daniels transferred to LSU to finish out his college career.
Not only did Daniels have a renaissance in Louisiana, but he leveled up after the first season. In 2022 Daniels set career highs in completions, attempts, total yards, total touchdowns, and completion percentage. That would be extremely notable if he didn’t turn around and shatter all of those metrics in 2023. Jayden Daniels finished fifth in passing yards, led the NCAA in yards per attempt, and threw for 40 touchdowns while only throwing four interceptions. Oh, he was also fourth in the SEC in rushing yards. Yes, a quarterback was only topped by three players including an All-American in Cody Schrader. His ten rushing touchdowns were more than any quarterback not named Jalen Milroe, who he tied. Daniels showed a clear as day year over year development and appears to be extremely ready to step into the NFL.
Strengths
- Absurd rushing ability
- Leads receivers well in the short to intermediate areas
- Throws a perfect fade. Not a good fade, a perfect one
- Enough power to throw outside the numbers consistently
- Responsible with the ball
- Year over year development indicates high level of coachability
Weaknesses
- Does not extend plays to pass, extends to run
- Slight frame does not inspire confidence in durability at the next level
- Does not slide. Needs to given slight frame
- Trusts pre-snap reads a little too much
- Flashes with ability to throw with anticipation, but wasn’t asked to do it much given LSU’s talent
NFL Comparison: Lamar Jackson
Projected Draft Capital: Top ten pick
Best Team Fits: Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, any team without a franchise quarterback
Bottom Line on Jayden Daniels
Daniels is lightning in a bottle with the ability to invigorate an organization overnight. His playstyle is such that the team can keep their offense above water with designed runs and read option packages, but can launch into perennial contenders if they get Daniels some weapons. After a year of hearing about how this could be a two man race at the top of the quarterback rankings, Daniels has every argument to be the most successful quarterback from this draft. If his name is called for your favorite team in April, rejoice.
Related – Watch: Jayden Daniels Film Study
Jayden Daniels Dynasty Outlook
For fantasy football diehards, Daniels is a cornerstone for dynasty teams. It’s a treat that he’ll likely be available in the 1.03 or 1.04 slot this year in Superflex leagues. If he goes top ten as expected, he will be a hot name for the 1.02 slot in rookie drafts. He has the smoothest path to fantasy football gold, and should be drafted everywhere available.
Main Photo Credit: SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK
