Many NFL enthusiasts believe USC’s Caleb Williams is a potential lock when the Chicago Bears are on the clock with the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.
Well, last year’s Heisman trophy winner Jayden Daniels may have something to say about it when draft night rolls around. With his exceptional athleticism at the position and effectiveness in the passing game, he could be a nightmare to deal with in RPO-heavy schemes.
What are some of the top landing spots for the talented LSU product entering the NFL?
Which Teams Could Draft Jayden Daniels?
Washington Commanders Could Select Jayden Daniels with the Second Overall Pick
New Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has extensive first-hand experience working with an explosive athlete under center who has proven capable of orchestrating a top-tier passing game at the collegiate level. Sure, it doesn’t hurt that Daniels was throwing to Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. last year, but the passing production was extraordinary in 2023.
The playmakers on the roster — Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and Austin Ekeler — certainly help make this one of the best landing spots for Daniels on draft night, but his scheme fit is pretty ideal too.
Kingsbury called RPOs (run-pass options) 126 times in 2022 while the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals — which was the fourth-highest mark in the league that season. One of Daniels’ biggest strengths as a passer includes his effectiveness in the RPO and quick game.
The offensive line talent may not be ideal, but this is far from a bad situation for Daniels to step into.
Chicago Bears Could Select Jayden Daniels at No. 1
There have not been very many mock drafts that have sent Daniels to the Windy City, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible and wouldn’t be a potentially great fit for the talented prospect.
The Bears have aggressively been trying to re-tool the talent at the skill positions since the start of the 2024 NFL offseason. Chicago made its first big move of free agency by signing running back D’Andre Swift to a three-year deal.
Then, general manager Ryan Poles acquired standout wide receiver Keenan Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a fourth-round pick. And it was all capped off by the organization trading previous starting quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
KEEP READING: Top QBs in the 2024 NFL Draft
Swift and Allen join a proven pair of playmakers in DJ Moore and Cole Kmet as quality veteran options heading into the 2024 NFL season, helping set the table beautifully for an incoming quarterback prospect entering the league.
In addition to the top overall pick, Chicago also owns the ninth pick in the NFL Draft, which could be used to either address the offensive line or add another top-shelf talent at wide receiver or tight end. The roster is set to be in really good shape for a player who could be stepping into a starting role from Day 1 as the first overall pick.
Shane Waldron — the former offensive coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks — is the team’s new offensive coordinator. Waldron called RPO plays 108 times last year, the ninth-highest mark in the league in 2023. The quality of talent on the roster and scheme fit make this a great landing spot for Daniels.
Las Vegas Raiders Are a Team That Could Trade Up To Draft a Quarterback
The Aidan O’Connell experiment under center went better than most might have expected, but it still left the Las Vegas Raiders in the market for a quarterback this offseason.
Well, it didn’t take long for the Raiders to sign veteran Gardner Minshew II in free agency, which could give the team two competent starting options.
However, if you asked new head coach Antonio Pierce if he would like to draft Daniels as his franchise quarterback, I imagine the answer would be a resounding yes. The issue lies with finding a way to move up high enough to draft him.
The Raiders currently sit at 13th overall, meaning they would have to be very aggressive to move into the top three. Daniels would instantly open up this playbook, seeing that O’Connell’s athletic profile is drastically less dynamic than the LSU product’s.
The wide receiver duo of Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers is very capable, and Daniels would be playing behind an offensive line that gave up the fewest quarterback pressures in the league in 2023. That makes this a great landing spot for Daniels if the team manages to pull off a trade to move into the top 10 in the first round.
All the 2024 NFL Draft resources you need — the draft order, the top QBs, the Top 100 prospects, and the full 2024 Big Board — right at your fingertips at Pro Football Network!