The 2024 NFL Draft is now two days away. Washington holds the No. 2 pick this year and most experts believe they're focused on a pair of talented quarterbacks.
Field Yates (ESPN): Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner has been linked to the Commanders for some time. Rightfully so, according to Yates.
“The Commanders can land their quarterback of the present and future here with Daniels, the most dynamic dual-threat signal-caller the draft has seen in a while. Daniels' calm demeanor in LSU's biggest moments last season gives me confidence he will make a smoother transition to the NFL than most rookie passers.”
In his final three games as a Tiger, Daniels threw for 1,020 yards with 13 touchdowns and no interceptions. As a two-year starter, he had 6,725 yards passing and 57 touchdowns with another 2,019 and 21 scores on the ground.
Of course, thirteen years ago, Washington used a No. 2 pick to take a dynamic dual-threat signal-caller named Robert Griffin III. Unfortunately, things didn’t go so well but Yates seems to have more faith in Daniels.
Dave Helman (Fox Sports): Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Helman remains skeptical.
“If I'm wrong, then I'm wrong. But I just don't buy the Jayden Daniels smoke with Washington. I think Drake Maye's tantalizing upside makes him worth the investment at No. 2, and I'm not going to let pre-draft smokescreens throw me off.”
He may have a point. If the Commanders were sold on Daniels, there would be no reason to bring him in with 21 other prospects including quarterbacks like J.J. McCarthy and Drake Maye for group meetings, something that didn't sit well with Daniels' camp.
Just a few days after saying to get your Jayden Daniels #Commanders jersey, Adam Schefter is now saying the agent for Daniels isn't pleased with the process and that Daniels thought he was meeting one-on-one with the team and that wasn't the case. pic.twitter.com/I35nUwmgfX
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) April 19, 2024
Did the team burn their bridge to Daniels or has Maye been their guy all along? Maye could be a better fit as one former NFL GM believes.
Mike Tannenbaum (ESPN): Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Two years ago, Maye completed 66.2% of his passes for 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns while rushing for 698 yards and seven more scores. His stats dipped in 2023 but the former Jets GM remains impressed.
“Maye has ideal size at 6-foot-4 and 223 pounds and shows really good pocket movement. He can make all the throws and has a good release, executing with accuracy and anticipation. And giving Maye an offense that has Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. should help him be productive in Year 1.”
Tannenbaum fails to mention new center Tyler Biadasz, who followed new head coach Dan Quinn from Dallas. Veteran QB Marcus Mariota should also help Maye (or Daniels) transition to the NFL.
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