NFL Draft Rumors: Commanders Leaning Toward Taking Jayden Daniels With No. 2 Pick

With roughly a month to go before Roger Goodell takes the podium in Detroit, the pieces of the 2024 NFL Draft might be falling into place.

It seems inevitable that USC quarterback Caleb Williams will go to the Chicago Bears with the first overall pick. But what will happen at No. 2 when the Washington Commanders are on the clock? A new report offers a potential answer.

Which QB Do Commanders Want With Second Pick in the NFL Draft?

Throughout last season, UNC’s Drake Maye was considered the second-best QB prospect in this year’s class. But LSU’s Jayden Daniels closed the gap during his Heisman Trophy-winning campaign, and now he’s considered the favorite to go No. 2 overall, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.

“I think it’s 99% Caleb Williams is a Bear now, and I think that’s been the case for a few weeks,” Breer recently said on NBC Sports Boston. “Unless something goes really wrong in that situation, that’s set in stone.

“And the more I’ve started to ask around, the more it seems like Jayden Daniels is probably the leader in the clubhouse to be a Commander. It does match up with what Kliff Kingsbury’s looked for in his quarterbacks over the years. Obviously, Jayden Daniels had a great season last season at LSU.”

Breer added: “I think right now, again, this can change over the next few weeks, I think Jayden Daniels is the leader in the clubhouse to be the second overall pick.”

All pre-draft rumors should be taken with a grain of salt. You never know what kinds of ulterior motives are in play and how agents are manipulating narratives behind the scenes.

Nevertheless, the momentum behind Daniels is real. But if he does go second overall, what could happen in the rest of the top 10?

What’s the Potential Domino Effect of Jayden Daniels Going Second Overall?

Obviously, anything can happen on draft day. More often than not, the pre-draft speculation and reporting get thrown out the window. Most of it, anyway.

However, the prevailing sentiment is that the top four picks will be used on quarterbacks. That’s the latest reporting from NFL Media draft expert Daniel Jeremiah, and he’s not the only one.

Here’s a quick refresh of the top 13 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft:

1. Chicago Bears
2. Washington Commanders
3. New England Patriots
4. Arizona Cardinals
5. Los Angeles Chargers
6. New York Giants
7. Tennessee Titans
8. Atlanta Falcons
9. Chicago Bears
10. New York Jets
11. Minnesota Vikings
12. Denver Broncos
13. Las Vegas Raiders

The Patriots are the real X-factors at No. 3. The franchise’s new regime, led by head coach Jerod Mayo and de facto general manager Eliot Wolf, reportedly wants to take a quarterback with the third pick.

And the Patriots’ recent signing of bridge QB Jacoby Brissett potentially indicates plans of taking a signal-caller early in the draft.

But would that quarterback be Maye, whose stock has fallen over the last few months, or Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, whom some believe now could be a top-three pick?

The safe bet is Maye, who’s a better prospect than McCarthy. In fact, Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings believes Maye is the top QB prospect in the entire draft — even ahead of Williams.

As for the No. 4 pick, the Arizona Cardinals don’t need a quarterback. They could stay at No. 4 and select a receiver, like Marvin Harrison Jr., but franchise GM Monti Ossenfort recently said the Cardinals are “open” for business and willing to trade the pick.

MORE: Patriots Could Make Shocking Pick at No. 3

Perhaps a team trades with Arizona to select Harrison at No. But if Jeremiah’s reporting is to be believed, the move likely would be done with an eye toward a quarterback such as Maye or McCarthy.

But which teams are the top candidates to trade up?

Why Vikings and Giants Are Well-Positioned To Move Up In Round 1

Fans also should keep their eyes on the Broncos (No. 12) and Raiders (No. 13). Both franchises need quarterbacks and might be desperate. However, due to their spots in the draft, both teams likely would need to present unrealistic trade offers.

So, for now, let’s focus on the Vikings and Giants.

Thanks to their recent trade with the Houston Texans, the Vikings now own two first-round picks, Nos. 11 and 23. That’s nearly enough ammo to move all the way up to the top four, though Minnesota would need to attach at least a few more assets.

Plus, the Vikings reportedly approached the Patriots earlier in the offseason about possibly trading for the No. 3 pick. Minnesota is sending a very unambiguous message about its desire for a quarterback at the top of the draft.

However, the Giants are also in a good spot. At No. 6, New York probably wouldn’t be forced into a crazy offer. It might even get away with packaging the sixth pick and a couple of second-rounders.

You could make a case for the Giants staying at No. 6 and selecting a receiver or a tackle. The rest of their roster is decent, and you could squint and see a playoff team in 2024.

But the reality is neither Daniel Jones nor Drew Lock are franchise quarterbacks. The Giants could wait until next year, but with the 2025 quarterback class comparatively weak, this might be the year to strike.

KEEP READING: Mel Kiper Jr. Projects 5 First-Round Quarterbacks

Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!