With the 2024 NFL Draft underway, it’s time to hand out some instant grades, as we’ll do all night for every pick of the first round on Thursday night — you can find our grades here. But if you’re wondering specifically about your team’s pick and how our Christian D’Andrea and Robert Zeglinski graded them? You’ve come to the right place. Here’s their take on Jayden Daniels:
The Commanders wielded a double-edged sword by sinking all the way up to No. 2. That gave Washington its choice of quarterbacks, but the pressure of choosing between an established draft prospect coming off an OK year (Drake Maye) and a star who rose up with a transcendent, Heisman Trophy-winning 2023 while surrounded by NFL talent (Jayden Daniels).
Daniels’ high ceiling was too much for a rebuilding franchise to pass up. At his best, he plays like Baker Mayfield imported to NCAA Football ‘14 and playing on rookie mode. He’s a dual-threat nightmare who can be Washington’s best quarterback since … Mark Rypien? … Joe Theismann? But he’ll be forever linked with Maye, and if he can’t outplay the quarterback who directly followed him it’ll be yet another loss for the Commanders.
Grade: B
For all of our NFL Draft grades on Day 1, click here.
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