Reigning Heisman winner Jayden Daniels has been one of the major topics of conversation leading up to Thursday’s NFL Draft.
His projected landing spot at No. 2 overall to the Washington Commanders will likely represent the first real drama of the initial round in Detroit.
While Daniels has been linked a lot to the Commanders as the second player (and quarterback) off the board behind Caleb Williams, rumors have popped up about a potential disconnect.
It stems from Daniels’ pre-draft visit with the Commanders. Instead of it being one-on-one in nature, general manager Adam Peters brought prospects in through a group session. This didn’t seem to sit well with Daniels and his camp.
“It didn’t seem to go over too well with the agent for Jayden Daniels, Ron Butler, who sounded off on social media that he didn’t seem particularly pleased with the process.
I think Jayden Daniels thought it would be a visit with just him meeting with the Commanders. Many people think that Jayden Daniels will wind up being the No. 2 overall pick. But the Commanders essentially opened up the process.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders drama
One day before he’s slated to hear his name called, Daniels is clarying the situation.
“I’m blessed to go wherever I’m called. Whoever calls my phone, (when the) commissioner gets up and says my name, I’ll be blessed, and they’re going to get my all,” Daniels said, via Sam Fortier of the Washington Post.
When asked if he would be OK with going to the Commanders at two, Daniels responded “100%.”
J.J. McCarthy (Michigan) and Drake Maye (North Carolina) were among the other quarterbacks brought in for that group visit.
Related: Final 3-round 2024 NFL mock draft
Jayden Daniels still likely to be No. 2 pick of the Washington Commanders
Despite all of this drama, pretty much every report coming from Maryland and the broader NFL world is linking Daniels to the Commanders at two. They seem to have taken a liking to his game in comparison to the aforementioned McCarthy and Maye.
Washington is in the market for a potential franchise quarterback after its new brass traded away Sam Howell earlier in the offseason.
As such, there has been less talk of the Commanders dealing away the second pick in comparison to the New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers rounding out the top five.