Quarterback Jayden Daniels is expected to be one of the top picks in the upcoming NFL Draft. Recent speculation has suggested that he may prefer to go to a team other than the Washington Commanders, who hold the second overall pick. However, Daniels has denied these rumors, stating that he will be happy to play for any team that selects him.
Arizona State has agreed to disassociate with Regina Jackson, the mother of former quarterback Jayden Daniels, for five years after alleged recruiting violations. Daniels himself is projected as a top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and won the Heisman Trophy at LSU in 2022. Former head coach Herm Edwards has also received a five-year show-cause penalty for his role in the violations, which occurred during the COVID-19 dead period. The NCAA has determined that Edwards extensively participated in impermissible recruiting meetings with prospects, resulting in the vacating of nine of ASU’s 2021-22 wins. The investigation also led to show-cause penalties for six former staffers and current Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce, whose case will be heard separately.
Jayden Daniels, a former LSU star and one of the nation’s top dual-threat quarterbacks last season, expresses his aspirations to surpass Michael Vick and Lamar Jackson as the greatest running quarterback of all time. While acknowledging Vick as the pioneer, Daniels believes Jackson currently holds the mantle. However, he aims to establish himself as the premier player at this position. Daniels acknowledges that NFL teams have advised him to be more cautious with his running style to avoid unnecessary hits. Despite his impressive rushing ability, which saw him accumulate 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, Daniels understands the importance of staying healthy amidst the physicality of the NFL. With his exceptional arm, which produced 3,812 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and just four interceptions last season, Daniels is poised to make a significant impact in the NFL if he can balance his running prowess with longevity.
The 2024 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, and much speculation surrounds it. Here is a mock draft of the first round based on current rumors and needs of teams. The Chicago Bears lead with Caleb Williams, QB from Southern California. Washington Commanders select Jayden Daniels, QB from Louisiana State. The New England Patriots go with Drake Maye, QB from North Carolina. Arizona Cardinals pick Marvin Harrison Jr., WR from Ohio State. Minnesota Vikings trade with Chargers and choose J.J. McCarthy, QB from Michigan. New York Giants take Malik Nabers, WR from LSU. Tennessee Titans select Joe Alt, OT from Notre Dame. Atlanta Falcons go with Dallas Turner, Edge from Alabama. Chicago Bears, with their second top-10 selection, choose Taliese Fuaga, OT from Oregon State. New York Jets, with Aaron Rodgers’ age in mind, pick Rome Odunze, WR from Washington. Los Angeles Chargers trade with Vikings and select Brock Bowers, TE from Georgia. Denver Broncos pick Laiatu Latu, Edge from UCLA, following Raiders star Maxx Crosby’s recommendation. Raiders select Terrion Arnold, CB from Alabama. New Orleans Saints would choose Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT from Penn State, if he falls to them. Indianapolis Colts pick Quinyon Mitchell, CB from Toledo. Seattle Seahawks select Troy Fautanu, OT from Washington, who could begin his career as a guard. Jacksonville Jaguars pick Byron Murphy, DT from Texas. Cincinnati Bengals choose JC Latham, OT from Alabama. Los Angeles Rams pick Jared Verse, Edge from Florida State. Pittsburgh Steelers select Graham Barton, OL from Duke, seeking a starting center. Miami Dolphins pick Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL from Oregon. Philadelphia Eagles choose Cooper DeJean, DB from Iowa. Los Angeles Chargers, using their second pick from the Vikings trade, select Jer’Zhan Newton, DT from Illinois. Dallas Cowboys choose Brian Thomas Jr., WR from LSU. Green Bay Packers select Amarius Mims, OT from Georgia. Tampa Bay Buccaneers pick Chop Robinson, Edge from Penn State. Arizona Cardinals, with their second pick, choose Nate Wiggins, CB from Clemson. Buffalo Bills select Adonai Mitchell, WR from Texas, to address their need at wide receiver. Detroit Lions choose Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB from Alabama. Baltimore Ravens pick Tyler Guyton, OT from Oklahoma, despite his lack of experience. Raiders trade with 49ers and select Michael Penix Jr., QB from Washington. Kansas City Chiefs choose Xavier Worthy, WR from Texas, hoping to replicate Tyreek Hill’s speed.
In the modern era of college athletics, transferring schools has become commonplace. This trend has not gone unnoticed by NFL talent evaluators, who now view transfers with a more open mind. Over one-third of the prospects invited to this year’s NFL Scouting Combine have transferred at least once, including top prospects such as USC quarterback Caleb Williams and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels. According to NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, transfers are no longer seen as a negative, with evaluators instead focusing on a player’s talent and character. The relaxation of transfer rules, combined with the ability for athletes to earn money through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, has given players more options and flexibility. While transferring is not without its challenges, it can provide athletes with opportunities to improve their skills, increase their exposure, and potentially increase their draft stock.
The 2024 NFL draft is highly anticipated, with a talented group of prospects expected to be available. USC quarterback Caleb Williams is widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick, while LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels and North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye are also highly regarded. The top half of the first round could be filled with quarterbacks, as several teams are in the market for a franchise signal-caller. The mock draft also includes analysis of potential trades and the needs of each team.
LSU Tigers’ quarterback Jayden Daniels expresses his desire to provide for his parents while acknowledging the financial constraints of a rookie NFL contract. Despite the challenges, Daniels remains committed to supporting his family in any way possible.
Experts predict unexpected developments in the upcoming NFL draft, including a competitive race for the top QB spot and potential moves by the Giants that could impact Daniel Jones’ future.
The Minnesota Vikings are in need of a quarterback, but finding the right one is a gamble. With a top-heavy draft class featuring Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings have the opportunity to package their 11th and 23rd overall picks to move into the top five. However, there is no guarantee that any of these players will become franchise-changing quarterbacks. In recent years, teams have increasingly used high draft picks on quarterbacks, but the success rate remains low. Only a handful of quarterbacks drafted in the first round have earned All-Pro honors or led their teams to multiple playoff wins. Despite the risks, teams keep coming back to the quarterback position in the hope of finding their next Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen. For the Vikings, they will need to carefully weigh the odds of drafting a successful quarterback against the potential rewards of doing so.
As the 2024 NFL Draft approaches, experts believe the New England Patriots will address their most pressing need: quarterback. With the No. 3 overall pick, the Patriots have several options, including LSU’s Jayden Daniels, Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, and North Carolina’s Drake Maye. A potential trade down is also a possibility, but most reports indicate that the Patriots are likely to stick at No. 3 and select a quarterback.
