Jayden Daniels Challenges Caleb Williams’ High Draft Stock in QB1 Debate for 2024 NFL Draft

LSU superstar quarterback Jayden Daniels took center stage at the Tigers’ Pro Day recently. In fact, it’s his first official workout for NFL scouts.  Projected as a top-10 pick in next month’s draft, Daniels strategically skipped the NFL Combine to showcase his skills at LSU, hoping to give his teammates more exposure.

During the Pro Day, Daniels impressed with his deep ball accuracy, highlighting his growth and development as a quarterback over the years.  Meanwhile, the NFL buzz surrounded Daniels, with reporters and analysts discussing him as a potential top pick and a challenger to Caleb Williams’ high draft stock. This Pro Day performance has certainly fueled speculation on his draft and a potential landing spot. 

Jayden Daniels has crafted his resume as a top prospect

At LSU’s Pro Day, NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe interviewed Jayden Daniels, who’s expected to be one of the top draft picks. When Wolfe asked what made him the best quarterback in the draft, Daniels wasn’t shy with his answer. “My versatility. Explosive plays are name of the game of football. Defenses try to limit explosive plays and explosive players. My resume speaks for itself,” he said. He’s not just confident about his throwing arm. He’s also calm, a great leader, and has “high football intelligence”. This makes him a strong competitor against Caleb Williams for the top quarterback spot (QB1) in the draft.

Both Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams, top quarterback prospects in the 2024 draft, skipped the usual athletic testing at the Scouting Combine.  Instead, they chose to showcase their skills at their respective Pro Days.  In a way, these two quarterbacks are now neck-and-neck in the race for the top two draft picks.  

Pro day performances heat up QB debate: Daniels vs. Williams

Jayden Daniels had a solid Pro Day, impressing with his accuracy on a majority (52) of his 56 attempted passes, many of which were deep throws.  However, some pre-existing concerns about his physical frame remain. During his Heisman season, he was listed as 6-foot-4, 210 pounds. But at the Pro Day, he came in shorter at 6-foot-3 and his hands were smaller than most quarterbacks. Another concern is his decision-making under pressure, which could be a challenge in the NFL.

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Meanwhile, Caleb Williams completed 46 of his 50 attempted passes during his Pro Day.  Both quarterbacks displayed their talent and did little to hurt their draft stock. While some see Daniels’ strong Pro Day performance as a challenge to Williams’ hold on the coveted QB1 spot, Williams’ overall stats and experience might still give him the edge.  However, Daniels has certainly emerged as a strong contender for the top three picks. Projection-wise, Williams is expected to be a top pick, possibly landing with the Bears,  while Daniels is projected to be drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round.  The next few weeks will be crucial as scouts analyze both players’ Pro Day performances to finalize their draft rankings.  This head-to-head battle could still redefine the top spots in the upcoming NFL Draft. Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments below. 

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