Commanders news: Jayden Daniels, Austin Ekeler, J.J. McCarthy and trading up
By Dean Jones
League convinced Commanders will take Jayden Daniels
It's been a whirlwind week for Jayden Daniels. This is through no real fault of his own, but rather his representatives making a mountain out of a molehill regarding the Washington Commanders' decision to bring all four quarterback candidates in simultaneously for 30 visits.
This was blown out of all proportion and Daniels' agents called the Commanders to clear the air about the matter. Still, it's called into question whether the signal-caller is a good fit for Washington. Something that general manager Adam Peters and his team must decide with time of the essence.
Daniel Jeremiah from the NFL Network has tipped Drake Maye to the Commanders at No. 2 overall throughout the process. However, he recently stated that people around the league seem to be overwhelmingly convinced that Daniels will be the choice at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft based on what he's hearing with just a few short days left until the big night.
"I've been connecting them to Drake Maye for a long time. I just felt like that fit there - I think about (coach Dann Quinn) going to a Super Bowl with (former Atlanta Falcons quarterback) Matt Ryan, and what Matt Ryan was coming out - strengths, weaknesses, and I thought it actually married up pretty well with Drake.
"So that had been my connection there. But in talking to coaches and executives around the league, they're overwhelmingly convinced around the league that this is Jayden Daniels, that this is going to be the pick there at No. 2."
Nobody knows for sure. At the same time, there is no smoke without fire.
Daniels is arguably the most pro-ready quarterback in this year's class with some electrifying traits that can transform the Commanders and get fans back into the stands quickly. If this ends up being the guy, fans should have complete trust Peters' comprehensive assessments can bear fruit.