Ron Rivera Reveals Thoughts on Commanders' QB Draft Options

As the Washington Commanders' new leadership sorts out their offseason plan, the team's former coach knows Jayden Daniels is the right quarterback to run the new scheme.

The Washington Commanders have a lot of people outside the organization telling them what they should do this offseason, especially with the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Mention any of the top three quarterbacks expected to be taken in the draft, by the Commanders or anyone else, and you'll get a choir of supporters and detractors for each.

On a recent episode of NFL Live former Washington coach Ron Rivera was asked, if he were still with the team who would he take with the No. 2 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, and his answer was very pointed.

LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) calls for the ball against Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Isaiah Raikes (34) during the second half at Tiger Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

"Jayden Daniels," Rivera said. "Just because of the fact that everybody expects (USC quarterback) Caleb (Williams) to go first. So to me, if this is the style of offense you're going to have, you've got to have that type of quarterback."

Rivera's opinion is based on stylistic football and finding the right fit for new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, which he says Daniels fits more so than other prospects like North Carolina's Drake Maye or even Michigan's J.J. McCarthy.

"The big thing more so than anything else that you have to look at is the style of offense they're going to run," Rivera says. "You've got Kliff Kingsbury, a guy that likes the mobile quarterback - a quarterback that can move in the pocket - that can make the plays when they're downfield and throw the football. I think the big thing is you've got to have a mobile quarterback." 

Daniels certainly fits that mold, with nobody doubting his athleticism or even his deep arm.

If there are questions about his game it's whether or not he can make every throw on the field including layered throws over the middle with defenders underneath and over the top of the routes he may be targeting.

Of course, Daniels' athleticism has brought up some concerns as well. Not in whether or not he has it - he's got plenty of it - but in how he uses it.

Namely, is his slight frame going to withstand the same amount of contact he was willing to take on at LSU?

Rivera was asked if his frame should give cause for concern.

"Not necessarily because he is a big guy, he's going to add a little bit of weight," Rivera said. "I think he's the kind of guy that will fit what Kliff Kingsbury wants to do."

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If Kingsbury, coach Dan Quinn, and general manager Adam Peters agree, then the No. 2 pick should be an easy one to make assuming Williams does indeed go No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears or any other team.

But if Williams is still there, or if the Commanders have the chance to trade up themselves, there's little doubt they'd be heavily compelled to bring him home to the DMV.