New England Patriots Doing 'Due Diligence' For Jayden Daniels’ LSU Pro Day

The New England Patriots are doing their “due diligence” in scouting LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels at his pro day workout in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels 5 as the LSU Tigers take on Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium / SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network / USA

As speculation continues to run rampant regarding their intentions for the No. 3 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft, the New England Patriots are sending their top team of scouts and front office officials to scout this year’s best quarterback prospects. 

Just hours removed from their stop in Ann Arbor to evaluate Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, the Pats contingent descended upon Baton Rouge to scout LSU phenom and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels. 

In addition to head coach Jerod Mayo, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and senior offensive assistant Ben McAdoo, director of player personnel Matt Groh and senior personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith, were also present for the workout. Per an NFL Network report, the Pats brass was set to meet with the talented quarterback after his workout concluded. 

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels looks to throw during his team's game against Texas A&M / Scott Clause / USA TODAY NETWORK

Based on the preliminary evaluation from those in attendance, the 6-3, 201-pound quarterback was quite impressive.

”A couple overthrows for Daniels,” wrote patriots.com. “Maybe trying to get those MPHs up for scouts. But his release/torque generated from his upper body allows him to spin it from all arm angles. Smooth, easy thrower as he showed on tape.”

Daniels has been projected as a potential Patriots selection by several mock-draft pundits with USC’s Caleb Williams being selected by the Chicago Bears and No. 1 and the Washington Commanders possibly following-up with UNC signal-caller Drake Maye at No. 2. After a stellar showing at his own pro day, McCarthy has also begun to rise in the rankings. Still, the San Bernardino, Calif. native completed 72 percent of his passes in 2023 for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also added 10 rushing touchdowns making him one of the top dual-threat quarterback prospects in the nation. 

In 26 total games for LSU, Daniels completed 502 of 715 pass attempts (70.2 percent) for 6,725 yards, 57 touchdowns and seven interceptions. On the ground, he carried the ball 321 times for 2,019 yards and 21 scores.

Despite opting out of the on-field testing portion of the NFL Scouting Combine, Daniels’ performance on Wednesday, along with his meeting with the Patriots contingent, will likely decide his fate in Foxboro, should he be available when the Pats are placed on the clock on April 25. 

As Mayo said earlier this week at the NFL annual meetings, Daniels along with each of the quarterback prospects — will have a number of Patriots scouts and execs to impress. 

“You have to do your due diligence,” Mayo told reporters. “It’s not all about me, it’s not all about Eliot, what you guys have heard me say a lot, it’s about collaboration.”

Following their meeting with Daniels, the Pats contingent is set to travel to Chapel Hill to both scout and meet with North Carolina quarterback prospect Drake Maye on Thursday.