The Race for the Second Overall Pick in the 2024 NFL Draft
The offseason is in full swing, and that means it’s time for the NFL Draft. The conversation surrounding the draft is constantly evolving, and one of the most talked about topics is who will be the second quarterback chosen in the 2024 class, also known as the second overall pick by the Washington Commanders.
Leading up to the 2023 collegiate season, it was widely assumed that 2022 Heisman Trophy winner and USC quarterback Caleb Williams and North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye would be the first two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, fifth-year senior LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels emerged as a strong contender for the second spot after a standout season with the Tigers. He threw for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, and only four interceptions, with a completion percentage of 72.2%. Daniels also set a new record for the highest single-season passing efficiency rating in college football history (208.0).
Daniels was equally impressive on the ground, rushing for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns on 135 attempts, averaging 8.4 yards per carry. He led all college quarterbacks in both passing yards per attempt (11.7) and yards per carry (8.4). Naturally, there was a lot of buzz surrounding his pro day at LSU on Wednesday. Standing at 6-foot-4, Daniels did not have any concerns about his height, but there were questions about his weight. He did not weigh in at the NFL Scouting Combine, but he weighed in at 210 pounds at his pro day. However, Sports Reference listed Daniels’ playing weight for the 2023 season at 185 pounds.
In an effort to dispel any doubts about his quarterback’s weight, LSU head coach Brian Kelly may have inadvertently revealed that Daniels will be the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Commanders. Or, it could have simply been an honest mistake after spending a lot of time talking with Washington head coach Dan Quinn, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, and general manager Adam Peters at the pro day.
“He [Daniels] is going to be so committed to taking care of himself that you’re not going to have to worry about size or [if] he doesn’t weigh enough,” Kelly said. “Lamar [Jackson] has done a pretty good job with his size. [Patrick] Mahomes I wouldn’t consider him a giant. Because he [Daniels] is going to get the ball out to the playmakers and make plays. For Washington.”
Quinn and Peters seemed to be impressed with what they saw at Daniels’ pro day, and Quinn even addressed the question about Daniels’ build.
“It’s not one size fits all, but I think there are some measurables that you do want to find — some markers to hit for a quarterback,” Quinn said on Wednesday, via Yahoo Sports. “You hear about hand size and his ability to rotate and shoulder flexibility and all of those things. Those will show up on the tape. Also where we live, they better be weather resistant too and be able to play in the elements and do all that because we certainly have games that will be that way. But more than anything it’s the ability from the neck up.”
Quinn also appeared to have a positive conversation with Maye at his pro day at North Carolina on Thursday.
The Final Stretch
In short, there are only four weeks left until the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25. The Commanders may change their minds multiple times between now and then, but all signs point to Jayden Daniels being their pick for the second overall spot. Only time will tell if he lives up to the hype and becomes a franchise quarterback for Washington. Stay tuned to Kosport Magazine for all the latest updates on the NFL Draft and the future of the league’s top prospects.
