NFL Mock Draft: Commanders Take 'Best Dual-Threat' QB
This year's NFL Draft class is perhaps as intriguing as one could hope for. With the Washington Commanders holding the No. 2 overall pick and in need of some star power to fuel the new era they're about to begin, speculation is rife about who the franchise will take.
Caleb Williams has been mentioned due to his previous history with new Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury at USC, while Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels round out the "top" quarterbacks in the class.
So, with Washington having such a coveted pick in their grasp, which way will Dan Quinn, Adam Peters, and Josh Harris go? In NFL.com's latest mock draft, the Commanders' new era begins with the selection of LSU's Jayden Daniels.
"We all seem very confident the Commanders will select a quarterback here," NFL.com writes. "New head coach Dan Quinn's defensive background might tilt the pick to Daniels, the best dual-threat QB in the draft. His ability to make plays with his arm and legs drives DCs crazy."
Quarterback Jayden Daniels 5 as the LSU Tigers take on Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, November 25, 2023.
SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK
Daniels is the very definition of a dual-threat quarterback, and his 2023 stats for LSU, which saw him win the Heisman Trophy, are superb.
Let's look at his passing stats first.
Daniels threw for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, and just four interceptions, completing 72.2 percent of his passes and having a QBR of 95.6. He also had eight games of 3+ passing touchdowns.
Now to his rushing ability.
Daniels rushed for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 8.4 yards per rush. Four times, he had 15+ rushing attempts in a game. On the season, he had rushing totals of 99, 130, 163, 234, and 120, and he had three games with multiple touchdowns so when he was given room, he made teams pay dearly.
That is the kind of player the Commanders are getting.
Now, Daniels likely won't have 135 rush attempts in the NFL, as we know what can happen when running quarterbacks put themselves in harm's way too often...injuries happen.
So we imagine that Kingsbury will be smart with his use of Daniels' legs in Washington's offense and pick his moments to break a defense's back with a designed run.
The Commanders are entering a new era, one filled with hope and excitement, and those feelings will only increase when Daniels is announced as their new starting quarterback.
