Just a few months ago, [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] wasn’t getting much NFL draft love at all.
Then, the final month of the season happened. Daniels secured his Heisman Trophy with next-level play, and that has also resulted in a meteoric rise in his draft stock.
He’s now seen as a likely top 10 pick, and he may even be the second quarterback off the board after Caleb Williams. An anonymous AFC executive told Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer that Daniels is pulling away from Drake Maye for the QB2 spot.
“It might be going in the opposite direction,” Breer was told. “Jayden is pulling away from Drake for me. … He makes every throw, his deep accuracy is rare, he’s explosive as a runner but is a pocket passer. It’s like [Deshaun Watson].”
Other insiders didn’t share the same opinion, though the consensus was that the gap has shrunk considerably. Still, some prefer the ceiling Maye brings.
“I think Drake has a Pro Bowl ceiling,” an AFC scout told Breer. “His floor is Dak [Prescott, before this MVP month] and his ceiling is [Justin] Herbert. I had Jayden as a quality backup with the ceiling of a system starter, more in-line with the Jimmy [Garoppolo] or Kirk Cousins range. … I like him, his athleticism adds value. I just didn’t love him as a passer.”
Only time will tell how Daniels is ultimately perceived by the league, but it’s plain to see that his stock is rapidly rising as the draft approaches.
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