Patriots Love LSU's Jayden Daniels? Expert Reveals New Draft Predictions
With the NFL Scouting Combine's final day underway, as the offensive linemen taking the field just 24 hours after the quarterbacks, running backs, and receivers did so, things are starting to take shape for the upcoming draft.
While none of the projected top-three quarterbacks participated during the on-field activities in Indianapolis, Indiana, this week, there is still a growing sense that they will be off the board with the first three picks. But in what order?
A recent report from The Athletic, has detailed what their sources have told them about who each team in the top-three, the Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, and New England Patriots, are all currently leaning toward taking.
The Athletic repeated the near consensus that Caleb Williams will be the No. 1 overall pick. But it is the selections after Williams where things get interesting.
"There’s belief by rival team executives the Washington Commanders are high on [Drake] Maye and that he should remain the favorite as the second pick."
New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has a decision to make - keep quarterback Mac Jones, or draft a potential replacement in either North Carolina's Drake Maye or LSU's Jayden Daniels.
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This leaves the Patriots to decide who the third-best quarterback available is, following Williams and Maye, who turns out to be the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Jayden Daniels.
"Daniels doesn’t have the same arm strength as Williams or Maye, and he’s still improving his anticipation as a passer," Howe writes. "But he is viewed as a Week 1 starter. Daniels gained steam this week as the favorite to land in New England at No. 3."
It'd be the fourth time in league history that the first three picks all comprised of quarterbacks. However, the last occurrence came back in 2021 when Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, and Trey Lance were taken off the board.
Drafting Daniels is certainly possible for the Patriots, as evidenced by their meeting with the now-former LSU star at the Combine.
While the reigning Heisman Trophy winner doesn't possess the arm strength that Williams or Maye have, he does have one thing that they don't, and that is the true dual-threat ability.
In addition to completing 72.2 percent of his passes for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns with just four interceptions, Daniels also totaled 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns with his legs, leading an LSU offense that led the nation in points per game.
