2024 Dynasty Rookie Early Look: Jayden Daniels, QB LSU
The 2023 NFL season saw a record-setting ten rookie quarterbacks start at least one game. From the record-breaking rookie season from CJ Stroud to undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito, this year had plenty of rookies on display. Some fared better than others, as is often the case.
As we look to the 2024 class, there are some exciting potential quarterbacks to hone in on. While Caleb Williams is fully expected to be the number-one overall draft pick, he is not the only exciting signal caller this draft has to offer.
Jayden Daniels is a true dual-threat quarterback who has found success as a passer and as a ball-carrier.
Recruitment
Courtesy of 247Sports.
Daniels received a four-star rating coming out of Cajon High School in San Bernardino, California. He was ranked as the number-two dual-threat quarterback in the nation for 2019 after an impressive high school career that saw 122 passing touchdowns and 31 rushing touchdowns over his final two seasons. He amassed an astonishing 14,000 passing yards and 3,645 rushing yards during high school.
Courtesy of MaxPreps.
Daniels received offers from multiple colleges, including but not limited to Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee, and Texas A&M before signing his letter of intent with Arizona State.
Collegiate Career
Courtesy of Sports Reference.
Daniels started as a true freshman for the Arizona State Sun Devils. He completed just over 60% of his passes and accrued 17 touchdowns to two interceptions in his first season, earning him Honorable Mention for the PAC-12 Freshman Player of the Year award.
A global pandemic shortened his sophomore campaign and he struggled his junior season, throwing 10 interceptions to match his 10 passing touchdowns. However, he continued to blossom as a runner, rushing for over 700 yards and scoring six times on the ground.
After completing his junior season, Daniels transferred to LSU.
As a ball carrier, Daniels is highly athletic, scoring double-digit rushing touchdowns in his last two seasons, while rushing for over 800 yards in both.
In his final season, he flourished in the LSU offense, setting career-highs in passing yards (3,812), passing touchdowns (40), and rushing yards (1,134). He won the Heisman Trophy to conclude an impressive collegiate career.
Athletic Profile
Courtesy of NFLDraftBuzz.
The epitome of a dual-threat quarterback, Daniels stands as a slender 6’4” with a sinewy frame. He possesses both arm talent and a slippery canter with his legs.
Strengths
- Arm strength
- Deep accuracy
- Athleticism and mobility
- Above average success on off-balance throws or throwing in motion
Concerns
- Consistently operating within the pocket
- More timid making throws across the middle of the field
- Lean frame for the amount of rushing drives future injury concerns
- Less consistent accuracy on short to intermediate throws at times
Draft Value
This early in the draft prep process, mocks can differ from site to site or analyst to analyst. One early mock penciled Daniels as being a high-level backup with starter potential and placed him as a third-round selection.
Poppycock.
Daniels represents a high-floor option with his legs and has shown continued improvement as a passer, especially over the last two seasons at LSU. His realistic range of outcomes is mid-range first round to the top of the second round, with a ceiling of landing in the first ten picks. Some regard him as the QB2 in this class behind Caleb Williams, while others place him firmly behind Drake Maye.
With a handful of NFL teams struggling with starting quarterbacks last season, Daniels possesses enough of the intangibles paired with his athleticism and growth as a passer to be within the first three quarterbacks selected.
Dynasty Outlook
Given the expected draft capital and a landing spot that is looking for their franchise quarterback, Daniels is a mid-to-late first round pick for single quarterback and a top-five pick for super flex leagues in their rookie drafts.
His toolbox contains the “Konami Code” as coined by Rich Hribar, elevating his potential floor. His deep ball accuracy hints at explosive plays in the right offense while he continues to develop his intermediate passing ability.
As with most rookie quarterbacks, bumps in the road during the developmental phase are to be expected. Some patience from dynasty managers will be required as Daniels settles into a more complex NFL offense and the sheer speed of the game at the next level.
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