Despite pacing the nation in quarterback statistics for most of the 2023 season, [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag]’ draft stock seemed almost non-existent as recently as a month ago.
The LSU quarterback was not being discussed among the top group of passers, which includes players like Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, nor did he appear on most first-round mock drafts.
After an unreal final stretch of the season that will almost certainly earn him the Heisman Trophy, that has changed. And in the latest 2024 NFL mock draft from CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso, he saw his highest projection yet.
While Trapasso has Maye going first overall to the Chicago Bears, Daniels is right behind him, going to the New England Patriots with the second overall pick, ahead of Williams.
Surprise! The Patriots go with Daniels over Caleb Williams as the second quarterback off the board. Daniels is an athletic marvel with two years of high-caliber passing productivity in the SEC.
While Daniels is the first Tiger off the board in the top 10, he’s not the only one. He’s joined by wideout [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] at No. 7 to the Giants, which would make him the second receiver off the board behind Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 3.
While I’d be surprised if the Giants don’t go quarterback here, with three already off the board and Daniel Jones’ $35 million fully guaranteed 2024 salary on the books, they actually may go in a different direction inside the top 10.
The Tigers had one of the most prolific offenses in college football’s recent memory in 2023, and the key players behind that should hear their names called early on draft night.
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