Dan Quinn’s Commanders Urged to Pick Lamar Jackson-Like Jayden Daniels by NFL Draft Analyst

The Washington Commanders are poised to make a significant decision with the second overall pick in the NFL draft. They have their choice between North Carolina’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels, with the possibility of Michigan’s JJ McCarthy also entering the mix as a surprise selection.

Amidst the speculation, NFL Draft Analyst has recommended that the Commanders, under the leadership of Dan Quinn, prioritize selecting Jayden Daniels. Kiper likened Daniels to Lamar Jackson, emphasizing his versatility.

Jayden Daniels pushed as Commanders’ top draft pick

The ESPN analyst said, “Jayden Daniels has to be the pick here. This is a team that has two second-round picks pretty high, three third-round picks, with six picks inside the top 100. They made a lot of moves in free agency.” Kiper highlighted the team’s needs, saying, “They still need help at left tackle, cornerback, and other areas of concern.”

He further emphasized the strength of the Commanders’ roster under the leadership of Adam Peters and Dan Quinn. He said, “This is a roster now. It’s gotten a little bit better.” Despite the presence of other quarterbacks like Caleb Williams and Drake May, Kiper firmly believes that Jayden Daniels is the right choice for the Commanders. He stated, “There’s no way I’m not taking Jayden Daniels two. He’s a franchise quarterback. He’s a guy who can do it all.”

The analyst said, “He’s right up the road from Lamar Jackson. Very similar type of players.” Kiper questioned the idea of choosing another quarterback over Daniels. 

Not only the draft analyst is making headlines for his statement, but Dan Quinn himself has sparked the discussion about the team’s intentions for the upcoming NFL draft.

Coach Quinn hints at the Commanders’ QB pick

In an interview with NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, Quinn stated, “I would say it’d be fair to envision we’d be taking a quarterback.” Quinn emphasized the collaborative decision-making process between himself and general manager Adam Peters. He expressed confidence in Peters’ expertise in evaluating quarterback prospects, indicating that they are thoroughly assessing their options. “As the next weeks unfold, there’ll be a lot of discussion,” Quinn remarked. “I’ve enjoyed that process with Adam.”

The Commanders’ recent trade of Sam Howell, their starting quarterback from 2023 to the Seattle Seahawks has paved the way for them to target a new signal-caller in the draft. Holding the second overall pick, Washington is in a prime position to secure a top-tier talent.

While projections suggest that Washington may opt for Maye with the second pick, there has been significant speculation linking Daniels to the Commanders, particularly since the scouting combine.

Coming off a disappointing 4-13 season and a third consecutive playoff absence, Washington is undergoing significant changes. Following the dismissal of head coach Ron Rivera, Quinn was appointed as his successor in February. With Quinn’s arrival and the potential addition of a franchise quarterback, the Commanders are poised to embark on a new era.