Heading into the 2024 NFL draft, there were rumors that the New York Giants were interested in one of the top quarterbacks. Picking sixth, though, meant New York would likely be on the outside looking in at the top three prospects: Caleb Williams (USC), Jayden Daniels (LSU) and Drake Maye (North Carolina).
Ultimately, that proved to be correct as Williams went No. 1 (Chicago Bears), Daniels went No. 2 (Washington Commanders) and Maye went third (New England Patriots). The Giants were happy to land LSU star wide receiver Malik Nabers at No. 6.
One year after signing quarterback Daniel Jones to a contract worth $40 million annually, the Giants, led by general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, did their homework on all of the quarterbacks.
In the second episode of “Hard Knocks: Offseason With the New York Giants,” we get a behind-the-scenes look at the Giants’ interviews with Daniels and Maye at the NFL combine.
The Giants will see Daniels twice per season with the Commanders. Daboll tested the Heisman Trophy winner’s recall with a play on the whiteboard.
Here it is:
Brian Daboll put Jayden Daniels to the test at the Combine. ✍️
New episode of #HardKnocks Offseason with the @Giants premieres tonight at 9pm ET on @StreamOnMax. #Giants100 pic.twitter.com/DMtyT8xVZV
— NFL (@NFL) July 9, 2024
Daniels handled it well, but the best part was his response to the following question: “And then if it’s Cover 1, what do we want you to do?”
Daniels’ response: “Throw a touchdown.”
Perfect.
There was another sequence in which Daboll asked Daniels how he would handle the media if he got off to a rough start and who he would lean on.
“Well, for me, I’ll just say I played in Death Valley (LSU), so I feel like I’m prepared for anything,” Daniels answered. “But, I talk to my family, obviously. That’s a big piece for me.”
Then Daboll interrupts and again asks Danies to recall that previous play for him, which he did.
Here's more of the Giants meeting with Jayden at the combine, shown on Hard Knocks tonight pic.twitter.com/RQDLuXLdn5
— obvlon (@obvlon) July 10, 2024
Daniels handled things perfectly.
It was another must-see episode of “Hard Knocks,” giving a fun behind-the-scenes look at New York’s offseason, which includes the draft and free agency.
A new episode comes out every Tuesday.
