DETROIT — Jayden Daniels dealt with the media in the same calm and confident way he shows on the field.
When asked several times about rumors that he doesn’t want to play for Washington and whether he prefers another team, Daniels took a diplomatic approach the day before the NFL draft.
“I’m happy to go wherever I’m chosen,” Daniels said Wednesday. “I’m grateful for any opportunity that comes my way and I’ll give my all to that team.”
When asked again about the Commanders and if he'd be okay with going there, Daniels replied: “Absolutely”
The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner from LSU is expected to be one of the top three players picked Thursday night. After USC quarterback Caleb Williams is chosen first by Chicago, Daniels is the likely second pick, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
The Commanders need a top QB and will have the choice of Daniels, North Carolina’s Drake Maye, or Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy. The team had an unusual approach for pre-draft visits and hosted all of them together along with other prospects for a Topgolf outing.
Reports that Daniels’ agent, Ron Butler, wasn’t happy with the visit led to his client answering questions about it 33 hours before the Commanders are on the clock.
“I enjoyed spending time with the other guys and interacting with people throughout the process. It was cool,” Daniels said, adding that he’s not a golfer but is starting to learn the sport.
Teams usually want to maximize their time with a player before the draft, so Washington faced criticism for its decision to host a group visit.
Daniels played down any issues with it.
“I spent some time with them,” Daniels said. “We had Zoom meetings before and at the combine, and when I visited, I spent some time with them. However, I had other places to go, so I had to catch a flight. Overall, it was a good visit.”
New Commanders coach Dan Quinn hired former Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury to be the offensive coordinator. Kingsbury had success with mobile QB Kyler Murray in Arizona and previously with Patrick Mahomes and Johnny Manziel in college.
“Clearly, his history with mobile quarterbacks speaks for itself,” Daniels said. “I’m familiar with Kliff.”
Daniels has a strong relationship with Raiders coach Antonio Pierce, who was an assistant at Arizona State when Daniels played there before moving to LSU.
Las Vegas would need to move up from No. 13 to acquire Daniels.
“I’ve known AP since I was a teenager, so obviously our off-field connection means a lot,” Daniels said. “We'll see what happens, but I’m happy to go wherever I’m chosen.”
Daniels, Williams, and Maye are among 13 players in town for the draft. They took part in a football clinic with Special Olympics Michigan athletes on a chilly, windy morning in a ballpark that used to be the site of old Tigers Stadium.
Williams was all smiles during the event. At one point, he threw five consecutive touchdown passes to youngsters. The prospects played catch, ran routes, gave advice, and engaged with the kids for an hour on the field before a 30-minute session with reporters.
Williams expressed that he had a great time and that the others also seemed to enjoy it a lot. For him, football is all about having a good time.
Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix might also be selected in the first round, making it a total of six quarterbacks, along with Williams, Daniels, Maye, and McCarthy. This round is full of offensive players. If six quarterbacks are selected, it would tie the record for the most QBs in the first round.
In the 1983 draft, three Hall of Fame quarterbacks—John Elway, Dan Marino, and Jim Kelly—were picked in the first round, along with Todd Blackledge, Tony Eason, and Ken O’Brien.
The highest number of QBs in the top five picks has been three, so if McCarthy gets picked, this draft might set a record.
Daniels stated that the draft class has the potential to be very good. There is a lot of exceptional talent in this draft.
