Category: LSU in NFL

Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers had to receive gambling policy training from NFL after Rookie of the Year bet

The former LSU players had to undergo “multiple” gambling policy training sessions after their canceled $10,000 bet.

Former LSU first-year players [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] and [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] are now division rivals in the NFL, and they are two of the top candidates for the league’s Rookie of the Year award entering the 2024 season.

There was originally going to be more than bragging rights at stake as the pair originally announced a $10,000 bet regarding the award. However, in light of NFL policy against gambling, they announced shortly after that the bet had been canceled.

But it seems that wasn’t the end of the story. NFL executive vice president of communications Jeff Miller told The Washington Post‘s Mark Maske that both Daniels and Nabers had undergone “multiple education training sessions” after they announced the bet during a podcast appearance.

It doesn’t appear that the pair will face any discipline for the bet, but it serves as a strong reminder of how serious the league takes its gambling policy.

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Jayden Daniels officially named Commanders’ Week 1 starting quarterback

As was widely expected, Jayden Daniels will get the nod for Washington in Week 1 against Tampa Bay.

As was expected, former LSU Heisman-winning quarterback and second overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] will take the first snap as the starting quarterback in Week 1 for the Washington Commanders against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

It’s far from a surprise, as Daniels started the first two preseason games for Washington. In those appearances, he has completed 12 of 15 passes for 123 yards. He only has three rushing attempts for 16 yards, but one of those attempts went for a touchdown in preseason Week 1.

Daniels was nominally competing with veteran and fellow Heisman winner Marcus Mariota as well as journeyman quarterback Jeff Driskel and undrafted rookie Sam Hartman for the starting job.

Daniels will make his first NFL start on Sept. 8 against the Bucs at 3:25 p.m. CT.

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How LSU rookies performed in their first preseason games

Here’s how LSU’s rookies performed in their preseason debuts.

The NFL preseason is underway. As we get closer to playing football that matters, we’re getting our first real look at rookies on a professional field.

As usual, LSU has several former players starting their NFL careers in 2024. The Tigers’ draft class was headlined by QB [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag], who the Washington Commanders selected with the No. 2 overall pick. Daniels was joined in the first round by receivers [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag]

Later in the draft, three defensive tackles were taken out of LSU. The Jaguars took [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag] and [autotag]Jordan Jefferson[/autotag] while [autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag] landed in Detroit with the Lions.

Five of the six made their preseason debut in the last several days with Jefferson being the only holdout.

LSU’s put a few stars in the NFL in recent years and there’s hope this group produces a few more. Here’s how they performed in their pro debuts, starting with Daniels.

Jayden Daniels

Daniels played just one series but made a strong impression in a few plays. In three dropbacks, Daniels completed two passes for 45 yards.

We saw Daniels excel with ball placement downfield last year and it was more of the same in his pro debut.

The drive was capped with a Daniels rushing score.

Malik Nabers

Nabers played 12 snaps in his debut, but he wasn’t targeted, leaving his stat line empty.

Despite the numbers, Nabers ran routes at an NFL level. If New York can get him the ball, he’ll make plays in 2024.

Brian Thomas Jr.

Thomas wasted no time putting his perimeter playmaking skills on display. His lone catch was a 42-yard shot down the sideline that saw Thomas fight for position to haul it in as he went to the ground.

Thomas posted an impressive 79.2 PFF grade in limited action.

Mekhi Wingo

Wingo played 31 defensive snaps in his debut with Detroit. He didn’t record a tackle but he did manage one pressure.

After the game, Lions head coach Dan Campbell spoke highly of Wingo’s performance.

Maason Smith

Maason Smith played 21 snaps in his first game and according to PFF, was the 11th best-graded rookie defensive tackle in the first week. Smith was only on the field for nine rush plays, so it was tough to make an impact there.

Like Wingo, he added one QB pressure.

How did some of the UDFAs do?

The draft picks weren’t the only LSU rookies to make their debut. LSU had some undrafted free agents take to the field as well.

[autotag]Charles Turner III[/autotag] played 10 snaps for the Patriots and allowed two pressures but still posted a 75.0 PFF pass block grade.

[autotag]Ovie Oghoufo[/autotag] made a good first impression, recording four tackles, a pressure, and a batted pass for the Giants.

Linebacker [autotag]Omar Speights[/autotag] was one of the top-graded rookie linebackers after making four tackles and pressuring the quarterback twice with the Rams.

In his debut with the Eagles, safety [autotag]Andre Sam[/autotag] played 19 snaps and made a tackle.

As for players who didn’t play, Jefferson and [autotag]Noah Cain[/autotag] are awaiting their debuts.

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Malik Nabers says he will be healthy for Giants’ Week 1 matchup

Malik Nabers suffered a minor ankle injury, but it’s not expected to impact his Week 1 availability.

Former LSU wide receiver [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] showed up at the New York Giants training camp and has ascended to the No. 1 wide receiver on their depth chart. He has quickly become a favorite target of his new quarterback Daniel Jones.

Although Nabers is listed as the No. 1 wide receiver on the depth chart, he did not get a target in the Giants’ first preseason game against the Lions. This week, it was revealed that Nabers had suffered a minor ankle setback, which held him out of practice.

That ankle injury has led many fans and pundits to wonder if the Giants’ new star will play in Week 1. Nabers responded shortly when he was asked about his status for Week 1.

“No doubt,” Nabers said Tuesday when asked if he’ll be healthy for Week 1, via ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.

Nabers says he is good to go for Week 1. We will see if his head coach has the same thoughts.

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Former LSU defensive back listed as a top 10 all-time former IMG Academy player

Former LSU defensive back Grant Delpit comes in at the No. 7 spot in On3’s list of the top 10 alumnus from IMG Academy.

Former LSU defensive back [autotag]Grant Delpit[/autotag] comes in at the No. 7 spot in On3’s list of the top 10 alumni from [autotag]IMG Academy[/autotag] ranked by how highly they were taken in the NFL draft.

Delpit was taken with the 44th pick in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. Since joining the Browns, Delpit has become one of their best players as he starts at safety for them. He has played in 45 games over three years with the team and has made 222 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and six interceptions.

While at LSU, Delpit was a three-year starter and played in 40 games for the Tigers. He finished his career with 199 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two forced fumbles and eight interceptions.

Delpit was on his way to his best season with the Browns last year, leading the team with 77 tackles after 13 games, but then his season was derailed by a groin injury. Hopefully, he will have an incredible 2024.

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Daniel Jones explains what Malik Nabers does well for Giants

Daniel Jones has a new top target in the Big Apple.

[autotag]Daniel Jones[/autotag] has a new target in the Big Apple. In the first round of the NFL Draft, the New York Giants drafted former LSU wide receiver [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag].

Nabers was a star at LSU and last season he finished with 89 receptions for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was snubbed of the Biletnikoff Award but he did help [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] win the Heisman Trophy.

Jones has been the starting quarterback for the Giants since 2019 and recently signed a new contract for four years and $160 million. One thing Jones has lacked during his tenure in New York is a star wide receiver. The star player for the Giants each year was their star running back Saquon Barkley, who has now moved on to Philadelphia.

Jones has played in 60 games for the Giants and has thrown for 12,512 yards 62 touchdowns, and 40 interceptions while having a 64.3% completion rate. Here is what he had to say about his new wideout.

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Malik Nabers shares a story about DMing Odell Beckham Jr. when he was a kid

Malik Nabers messaged Odell Beckham Jr. when he was 11-years-old. Ten years later on draft night, OBJ finally responded.

[autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] appeared on the Up & Adams show with [autotag]Kay Adams[/autotag] and shared a story of the first time he contacted [autotag]Odell Beckham Jr.[/autotag]

When Nabers was only 11, he sent an Instagram direct message to Odell Beckham Jr. to ask him for new gloves. Little did he know that 10 years down the road Beckham would finally respond to his message.

Nabers and Beckham Jr. were both stars during their time at LSU and both were drafted by the New York Giants. During his final season at LSU, Beckham hauled in 59 receptions for 1,152 yards and eight touchdowns.

Last season, Nabers had 89 receptions for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was robbed of the Biletnikoff Trophy but was still drafted with the No. 6 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Giants are likely hoping Nabers can be the next breakout wide receiver as Daniel Jones needs playmakers to throw the ball to. They lost Saquon Barkley to the Eagles so they need a new star.

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Watch Brian Thomas Jr.’s first NFL reception with Jacksonville Jaguars

Brian Thomas Jr. was targeted two times during the Jaguars’ preseason game against the Chiefs, and he hauled in one catch for 41 yards. 

Another star from LSU’s offense in 2023 made his NFL debut recently. This time it was [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Thomas was targeted two times during the Jaguars preseason game against the Chiefs and he hauled in one catch for 41 yards.

Thomas Jr. was a key contributor for LSU last season as he and [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] were two of the best wide receivers in the country. Thomas Jr. had 68 receptions for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns. Those stats led to him being the No. 23 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Jags needed some help at wide receiver for Trevor Lawrence as Calvin Ridley left in the offseason. Thomas comes in at 6-foot-4, 205-pounds and he provides a deep threat for the Jags that they have been searching for. The future looks bright for Thomas in Jacksonville.

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Commanders coach Dan Quinn says Jayden Daniels reminds him of Top Gun

Jayden Daniels finished his preseason debut going 2-for-3 passing for 45 yards and he had one rush for three yards and a touchdown.

[autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] made his first professional start for the Washington Commanders in their preseason game against the New York Jets. Daniels did not get much playing time but he looked good for the short amount of time he was in the game.

Daniels finished the game going 2-for-3 passing for 45 yards and he had one rush for three yards and a touchdown. The Commanders pulled him after that and unfortunately, the Jets came back to win the game 20-17. [autotag]Dan Quinn[/autotag], the head coach of the Commanders was impressed with how Daniels played and compared what he did to the movie “Top Gun.”

“I thought of Top Gun, ‘Do I have permission to buzz the tower?’” Quinn said after the game. “‘No, Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.’ I think on that one, he wanted to ask for forgiveness and not permission, and then throw an absolute dime over the top to Dyami to go. … He did not ask for permission. He went ahead and buzzed the tower anyway. It was a really good play.”

Here is the play Quinn was referring to. On third and six Daniels let it rip with a long first down throw.

Daniels future looks bright with the Commanders so far, but it has only been one game.

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Highlights from Jayden Daniels’ first NFL preseason start with Commanders

Jayden Daniels led Washington on a touchdown drive during his brief preseason debut on Saturday, giving the ball to his mother in the stands after finding the end zone.

The Washington Commanders began their preseason slate on Saturday afternoon, and rookie quarterback [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] received the starting nod against the New York Jets.

The second-overall pick and former Heisman winner at LSU didn’t get to see a ton of action before he was pulled from the game, leading just one drive. It was an impressive one, however, as he led the team down the field and capped it off with a rushing touchdown, after which he ran into the crowd and gave the ball to his mother.

He finished the game 2 of 3 for 45 yards passing, with much of that coming on his first career completion, which came on a deep ball to Dyami Brown.

Daniels is expected to be Washington’s Week 1 starter, so it remains to be seen how much action he will actually see in the remainder of the preseason. However, it’s likely the Commanders give him extended playing time in one of the next two exhibition games.

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