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Former LSU quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels is reportedly "cool" with being selected No. 2 overall by the Washington Commanders in the 2024 NFL Draft Thursday (April 25) night, but his "dream world" scenario would, instead, be going to the Las Vegas Raiders or Minnesota Vikings, the Athletic's Dianna Russini reports.
"Jayden Daniels was given a high grade by many teams. While the QB is “cool” with Washington, I’m told in his “dream world” he would reunite with Raiders coach Antonio Pierce (who was an asst coach at Arizona State when he was a Sun Devil) or play under Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota," Russini wrote on her X account Wednesday.
Daniels, 23, took meetings with the Vikings, Raiders, Commanders, New England Patriots, New York Giants and Denver Broncos, his agent, Ron Butler, had previously confirmed to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport after LSU's Pro Day and reportedly had a final evaluation with Minnesota last week.
"Former LSU QB Jayden Daniels is scheduled to have dinner tonight with #Vikings brass in Baton Rouge, per @Agentbutler1. Minnesota owns the No. 11 and 23 picks and has been gathering all the info in case there’s an opportunity to move up for one of the top QBs," NFL Network's Tom Pelissero wrote on his X account on April 18.
Daniels led all SEC quarterbacks in passing yards per game (317.7) and touchdowns (40), while also ranking second in passing yards (3,812) and recording 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns on 135 rushing attempts. The Vikings currently have two first-round picks after acquiring the No. 23 overall pick in a trade with the Houston Texans last week, which many suspect will be packaged with the No. 11 pick in a trade to move up several spots.
Daniels is projected as a top 3 pick and both the Commanders and Patriots expected to be considering quarterbacks at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively. Minnesota also recently lost quarterback Kirk Cousins to free agency and signed veteran quarterback Sam Darnold to a one-year deal.