A breakout superstar who took the Heisman trophy home, LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels has propelled himself to the top of draft boards and for very good reason.
Here is everything you need to know about the Tiger’s gifted leading man:
Vitals
Height: 6-4
Weight: 210
Class: Senior
Strengths
A super athlete that we haven’t seen since the likes of Kyler Murray and Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels possesses plenty of elite traits including many outside the regular bounds of the quarterback position. Daniels has progressed well over his five years of football experience, and put it all together in a magical run that showcased all of his talents in one neat package.
Daniels is not a one trick pony by any means. While he certainly can gash a team through the ground game Daniels is also a high level thrower of the football as shown by his ridiculous production during his senior season. Daniels possesses a lighting quick release, is able to make gorgeous down the field throws, and has shown he keeps his eyes down the field when making excellent pocket breaking plays. Daniels is an excellent processor of the field and consistently displays a high level of understanding of what the defense is serving up.
In his Heisman winning season Daniels put up truly eye popping numbers that cemented him alongside all time greats with one of the best seasons for a quarterback ever. Daniels accumulated 4,946 yards through the air and ground and scored a total of 50 touchdowns. Daniels helped carry his team and was consistently the best player on the field every Saturday.
Weaknesses
Like Bryce Young last year there are concerns about the size and overall frame of Daniels. This is only exacerbated by his tendency to run quite recklessly into the defense. Daniels will need to run with his body and health in mind in the future, similar to how Lamar Jackson operates within his own offense.
Daniels does not have a elite velocity and can have trouble fitting it over the middle of the field into tight windows. Daniels should naturally gain arm strength over time in the NFL, but coaches will have to scheme to his strengths early on in his career.
Projection
It’s rare to have a quarterback with Jayden Daniel’s production not go at the very top of the draft. Though it’s likely teams will prefer the likes of Caleb Williams, Daniels does not far from that tree. Given the level of playmaking ability he possesses, Daniels should hear his name called in the very early portions of the 2024 NFL draft.
Projection: Top 5
