The 2024 NFL Draft is just around the corner, set to take place from April 25-27. The event will allow all 32 teams a chance to take players that could change the future of their franchise.
One of those potential franchise-changing players is LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, who has been participating at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. During his interviews with the media, Daniels spoke about his plethora of meetings with teams. Let’s dive into all of them.
Jayden Daniels Opens Up About NFL Combine Meetings
Daniels is one of the best players in the 2024 NFL Draft, frequently finding himself mocked inside the top-five picks.
He won the Heisman in 2023, having passed for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, and four interceptions. The talented signal-caller also had 1,134 yards and 10 more touchdowns on the ground.
In his five-year college career, Daniels played for both Arizona State (2019-2021) and LSU (2022-2023). His career totals have him passing for 12,750 yards, 89 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions. He also has 3,307 yards and 34 touchdowns with his legs.
While he is at the NFL Scouting Combine interviewing with teams and the media, he is not going to participate in drills, nor is he going to throw for teams.
Daniels Meets With Top-Pick-Holding Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears have two picks inside the top 10, Nos. 1 and 9, but only one of those picks will likely be able to net them Daniels, and that’s the top pick. While many think the Bears will take Caleb Williams, Daniels isn’t out of the picture.
“From them, it’s just, be able to go out there and envision myself if I really do get drafted by Chicago,” Daniels said. “With all interviews, be able to just talk ball, you know. You don’t really get to talk ball with NFL coaches too often.”
“I didn’t get put through that,” Daniels said when asked what competitive drill (putt-putt, darts, etc.) he picked, something the Bears like to do in draft interviews.
Washington Commanders Interview Daniels
Next up is the Washington Commanders, who hold the second-overall pick. If Williams goes No. 1 to Chicago, they’d likely be picking between Daniels and UNC’s Drake Maye.
“For them, it’s just how cool the whole staff was,” Daniels said. “Obviously, Dan Quinn, Kliff Kingsbury, all those type of guys. Just to be able to sit in there and really get to know people.”
“You see them on TV, everybody coaching behind the scenes. So, to be able to go out there and have a conversation with them, that’s the coolest part.”
Daniels to New England?
Next in the draft order is the New England Patriots, who hold the No. 3 pick. It’s not a guarantee they take a quarterback, but if the team falls in love with Daniels, it’s very possible they could take him to replace Mac Jones.
“It would be dope,” Daniels said when asked what it would be like to get drafted by the Patriots. “Obviously, growing up and seeing what Tom Brady did there, six Super Bowls. That’s tough to live up to.”
Jayden Daniels says “it would be dope” to get drafted by the Patriots and try to get them back on track pic.twitter.com/NBB6m2UCVF
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) March 1, 2024
“It’d be dope to come in there, see the success they had, and get them back on track,” Daniels said.
New York Giants Keeping the Door Open With Daniels
While he’s projected to go within those top three picks, nothing is a guarantee. The New York Giants hold the sixth-overall pick and have a plethora of directions they could go, including potentially taking Daniels if he’s available.
“It was fun, go in there, be able to talk, like I said, football,” Daniels said. “They handed me the clicker, and we were just talking ball. It’s always fun, I love football; I’m very passionate about it, so whenever I get to talk ball, I love it.”
“Just how energetic the coaching staff was,” Daniels said about what he noticed. “I was just going in and, getting to know me as a person, they were very excited about that.”
Antonio Pierce and Jayden Daniels Reunion?
A surprise team that could make a move for Daniels is the Las Vegas Raiders and head coach Antonio Pierce. The Raiders currently hold the 13th overall pick, meaning they’d likely need to make a large leap in the draft to get Daniels. Daniels and Pierce were both at ASU early in Daniels’ career. “We gonna see. We are gonna see,” Daniels said.
KEEP READING: Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels? How NFL People Really Feel About QB Draft Class
“AP is a great guy; he’s the right guy for the job,” Daniels said. “If he did, and I had my name called and, on Draft Day, I hear my phone ring, and it’s AP, I don’t know what I’d do, so.”
“We’ll see, but right now I’m just blessed, I’ll take it day by day,” Daniels said. “I’ll let everybody handle that. That’s what they’re for; I’ll focus on being the best player, the best version of myself.”
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