Mel Kiper of ESPN thinks that a different quarterback than Drake Maye might be selected second overall in the competitive 2024 NFL Draft class, behind Caleb Williams of USC.
The unanimous selection to be the first quarterback selected in the April draft is the USC Trojans standout and 2022 Heisman Trophy winner. Drake Maye of North Carolina is generally seen as the No. 2 signal-caller, but Kiper thinks another quarterback may target Williams.
Speaking on ESPN’s “Monday Blitz” show (via Nick Kosko of On3.com), Kiper provided an explanation for why 2023 Heisman Trophy winner and LSU Tigers standout Jayden Daniels would be selected before Maye:
“This is a monumental leap. Can he get over Drake Maye…Now you think about Caleb Williams, I think it’s pretty locked in. He’s gonna be the first quarterback off the board. Could he challenge, to your point Booger, to be the No. 2 quarterback?
Yes, he could because I know the more you watch, and we know about dual threat quarterbacks and when you see Lamar Jackson doing as John Harbaugh said he’s unique to the position, Jayden Daniels brings that same type as Randall Cunningham as who Herm compared him to.
“You look at Lamar Jackson, what he’s doing with the Baltimore Ravens a franchise quarterback, so for Jayden, I think the big thing is especially protecting the football the way he did to strike that balance to be aggressive, to let it rip, to run the way he did, to elude, evade and run through contact the way he did, yet not turn the ball over is really impressive.”
Jayden Daniels is reportedly thought to have “shades” of Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts to his game by several NFL scouts.
Mel Kiper Jr. (ESPN Draft Analyst) said he believes Daniels “could become” QB2 behind Caleb Williams.
Many NFL scouts reportedly believe Daniels is a… pic.twitter.com/vgzACEbhXV
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) December 12, 2023
Scouts can’t stop raving about Jayden Daniels
Kiper has listed Williams and Maye as the top two and three prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft, respectively, with Daniels coming in at number eight. Wide receiver Marvin Harrison of Ohio State is ranked No. 2, while tight end Brock Bowers of the Georgia Bulldogs is ranked No. 4.
The next two positions are held by quarterback Shedeur Sanders of Colorado and wide receiver Rome Odunze of Washington, while offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu of Penn State is placed seventh. Naturally, it is anticipated that Shedeur will play college football for his father, Deion Sanders, once more.
Daniels had an incredible season this year, rushing for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns while throwing for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns versus four interceptions.