Jayden Daniels is ready and willing to join any NFL team that calls his name in the 2024 draft on Thursday night.
The Heisman Trophy winner at LSU last season was among 13 draft prospects in Detroit a day before the draft with plans to embrace the uncertainty and experience the green room in the Motor City with his peers.
Daniels, a transfer from Arizona State who played on a Sun Devils team with 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and competed against Justin Herbert in the Pac-12, emerged as a potential first-round pick in 2023 with 50 total touchdowns (40 passing) and nearly 5,000 total yards of offense for the Tigers. He’s the first player in college football history to clear 12,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards in a career.
But he’s also walking into draft night with blinders on, not knowing if he’s going No. 2 to Washington or somewhere else.
“I’m blessed to go wherever I’m called,” Daniels said Wednesday. “Whoever calls my phone … (when the) commissioner gets up and says my name, I’ll be blessed, and they’re going to get my all.”
Daniels denied he wouldn’t be thrilled to land with the Commanders, a franchise with a revolving door at quarterback since Kirk Cousins left in 2017.
He said during a break as part of a pre-draft appearance with Special Olympics athletes that he would embrace Washington and a chance to work with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
“His track record with mobile quarterbacks — Kyler (Murray), Pat Mahomes, Johnny Manziel — speaks for itself,” Daniels said.
Multiple reports indicate Washington will have options if the Commanders decide to drop down from the second overall spot. The Bears are expected to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams at No. 1.
Among the teams reportedly in touch with new Commanders general manager Adam Peters about acquiring the pick are the Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders.