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Month: April 2024

Prospect Profile: Cooper DeJean

April 13th, 2024 at 10:10pm CST by Ely Allen

The University of Iowa has been a bit of a surprise team of late with a number of former Hawkeyes going pro and making a big impact in the NFL. Joining the ranks of Lukas Van Ness, Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta, Tyler Linderbaum, and Tristan Wirfs, junior cornerback Cooper DeJean is expected to be the next Iowa alum selected early in an NFL draft.

DeJean grew up in Iowa as a multi-sport athlete, excelling in baseball, basketball, track, and football. At OABCIG HS in Ida Grove, Iowa, DeJean was a star athlete on the gridiron, playing wide receiver, quarterback, and defensive back while also returning punts. He earned All-State honors as a receiver his sophomore year and then led his team to undefeated, state championship seasons at quarterback the following two years.

Despite ranking as a consensus four-star recruit and a top-ten safety in the nation, according to 247sports.com, DeJean only garnered one FBS offer. His first offer came from Iowa Western CC before he earned offers from FCS programs like Illinois State, North Dakota State, South Dakota State, and Northern Iowa. He earned his first and only FBS offer from the Hawkeyes following a Junior Day visit and committed two months later.

At Iowa, DeJean played sparingly as a freshman, appearing in seven games and making one start but staying mostly off the stat sheet. His sophomore season was a different story as he exploded onto the scene. Starting all 13 games in his second season with the Hawkeyes, DeJean finished the season with second-team All-Big Ten honors after leading the team with five interceptions and 13 passes defensed while playing across from Broncos cornerback Riley Moss. DeJean demonstrated his return abilities on those interceptions, returning three of them for touchdowns. He also demonstrated his return abilities on returns, averaging 16.5 yards per return on ten punts fielded.

DeJean’s junior year at Iowa was similarly impressive. He received first-team All-Big Ten honors as both a defensive back and punt returner while also being named Big Ten DB of the Year and Big Ten PR of the Year. On 21 punt returns, DeJean had 241 return yards and a touchdown. Seeing far fewer targets, DeJean continued to produce as a cornerback with two interceptions and seven passes defensed, but a broken fibula in his right leg in November would require season-ending surgery that sidelined him for the remainder of the year and for the pre-draft process until very recently.

This past week, DeJean was able to host a private workout for scouts. He demonstrated an impressive explosiveness on his vertical and broad jump and clocked in at 4.42 seconds (unofficial) for his 40-yard dash, per Jeff Risdon of USA Today. The mini-pro day did much to prove that his recovery was progressing well and that the injury likely won’t be a factor in his rookie season.

DeJean is slightly shorter than the prototypical cornerback size (just over six feet tall), but as an athlete who was moved around to safety and hybrid roles in Iowa City, he has decent size to go along with his above average speed. His reaction time can be a hindrance at times, but he often masks it with great anticipation. His playing experience as a quarterback, receiver, and cornerback gives him a unique insight that allows him to anticipate better than most other defenders. He’s one of the better tackling cornerbacks in this draft and plays physical even when the opponent is not carrying the ball. His combination of speed and physicality allow him to use a variety of man coverage techniques with success. His lack of solid reaction time leads to the occasional overrunning of a route, and he can get grabby to avoid losing coverage, but these are rare occasions in what is usually stellar coverage.

ESPN’s Matt Miller ranks DeJean as the fourth-best cornerback and the 26th-best prospect overall. Dane Brugler of The Athletic seems to agree, slotting DeJean as the fourth-best corner and the 25th-best prospect overall. DeJean seems like a no-brainer in the mid- to late- first round. He shows versatility with experience playing all over the secondary and becomes an immediate special teams asset as a rookie. DeJean will hope to land with a team who can utilize him early and often as he attempts to join LaPorta, Linderbaum, and George Kittle as the most recent Pro Bowl Hawkeyes in 2024.

Latest On Cowboys’ Draft Plans

April 13th, 2024 at 9:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Cowboys are one of several teams positioned to add along the offensive line during the first round of the upcoming draft. That 2024 tackle class in particular has drawn considerable praise, and selecting one of the best options on the board would help clarify Dallas’ plans up front for the coming season.

The free agent departure of Tyron Smith has left the Cowboys without a starting left tackle, unless 2022 first-rounder Tyler Smith handles blindside duties moving forward. The latter was drafted as the former’s heir apparent, but he thrived as a guard, earning a Pro Bowl invitation and second-team All-Pro honors last season. As a result, a tackle addition could be coming soon.

Indeed, The Athletic’s Jon Machota writes left tackle is “the position most likely to be addressed in the first round” when Dallas is on the clock (subscription required). The Cowboys own pick No. 24, which in many years would be too late to find a tackle prospect capable of starting right away. The 2024 class is deep up front, though, and Dallas could have a few options to choose from when on the clock. Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton and Georgia’s Amarius Mims could be on the board, although the Steelers (set to pick 20th) are expected to address their O-line in that range as well.

Of course, Tyler Smith kicking outside would leave the interior as an area of need for Dallas, a team which lost starting center Tyler Biadasz in free agency. The likes of Graham Barton and Jackson Powers-Johnson could be options in that event. ESPN’s Todd Archer predicts Smith will begin the 2024 season as Dallas’ blindside protector, and that approach would shift attention to guard or center prospects early in the draft. The Cowboys have hosted both interior and tackle options on ‘top-30’ visits.

To little surprise, Machota adds the Cowboys will not address the linebacker position on Day 1. No LB prospects are seen as locks to hear their names called in the first round, but that spot is certainly one which could use additions in Dallas’ case. A selection as early as the second round (where the team owns pick No. 56) could bring about the arrival of a linebacker to help complement free agent signing Eric Kendricks.

Aiming to quell criticisms which have stemmed from the team’s quiet offseason to date, the Cowboys could add a number of impact rookies in the near future. While it remains to be seen which O-line position the team’s top pick in that respect plays, an early move up front should be expected at this point.

Buccaneers GM Jason Licht Addresses Negotiations With Antoine Winfield Jr., Tristan Wirfs

April 13th, 2024 at 7:46pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Buccaneers have had success so far this offseason in retaining several key members of the 2023 team which won the NFC South. Extension talks with a pair of foundational players – safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and left tackle Tristan Wirfs – represent major priorities still to be addressed, though.

In the case of the former, optimism exists team and player can hammer out a long-term deal. Winfield is currently attached to a $17.12MM franchise tag, but a multi-year agreement could make him the league’s top earner at the safety spot. Wifrs, meanwhile, successfully moved from the right tackle spot to manning the blindside in 2023 with a third straight Pro Bowl nod. Deals with both players will not come cheaply, but general manager Jason Licht is confident they can be worked out.

“We’ve had really good discussions there,” Licht recently confirmed when speaking about Winfield and Wirfs. “Once again, it’s like the same thing when we were at the Combine talking about Baker [Mayfield] and Mike [Evans] and Lavonte [David]. We really want them here, we want them here long term, I think they want to be here long term. We’ve had a good track record with getting things done. I feel pretty good about things getting done.”

Indeed, Licht and Co. have managed to keep Mayfield, Evans and David in the fold despite all three players facing the potential of free agency this offseason. Neither Winfield nor Wirfs is on the market presently, but both would command substantial interest if they were able to negotiate with outside teams. Avoiding such a scenario would be a costly but rewarding endeavor on Tampa Bay’s part (and one which could free up much-needed 2024 cap space in the process).

Winfield earned first-team All-Pro acclaim last season, and at 25 he could provide solid value for years to come even on a record-breaking pact. Wifrs, also 25, is set to earn $18.6MM this season on his fifth-year option before seeing a major raise on his next pact. If Licht’s optimism proves to be well-placed, both Winfield and Wirfs could have extensions in hand in relatively short order.

Dolphins’ Jaelan Phillips Aiming To Return In Week 1?

April 13th, 2024 at 6:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Dolphins’ defense was severely shorthanded to close out the 2023 season, and the unit was without edge rusher Jaelan Phillips after Miami’s Black Friday contest. He could be back in the fold by the start of the coming campaign, however.

While appearing at a University of Miami spring game on Saturday, Phillips said, “I’ll definitely be back healthy for the season” (h/t Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald). That declaration may not mean he will be available for Week 1 in 2024, but an early return to the field would represent a massive boost to the Dolphins’ edge contingent. Phillips is rehabbing the Achilles tear which brought an end to his third NFL season.

That injury comes with a particularly long recovery timeline, though players in recent years have been succesful in cutting down on the time needed to rehab effectively. Taking the field in Week 1 in Phillips’ case would represent roughly 10 months from the time of his injury, the first of his tenure with the Dolphins. Of course, the former first-rounder’s college career was marred by a number of ailments, so his ability to return to full health will be a key storyline to follow over the coming months.

If Phillips can indeed suit up for the start of the 2024 season, Miami will have an impact starter available along the edge. The 24-year-old racked up 6.5 sacks in eight contests last campaign, putting him on track to eclipse his career high in that regard (8.5). Expectations will be high for him whenever he is able to take the field, especially given the uncertainty the team has at the outside linebacker spot for the time being.

Bradley Chubb is rehabbing an ACL tear suffered in December, and the Dolphins’ only move in free agency along the edge has been the addition of Shaquil Barrett. While Chubb is on track to play at some point in 2024, Barry reports Cameron Goode is “very much in question” to be in the lineup early in the campaign. For that reason, Barry adds Miami should be expected to add one or two rookies during or after the upcoming draft.

The Dolphins own six selections this year, though only two of them fall within the first four rounds. Drafting one of the top edge rush options on the board would thus come as little surprise, although in any event a healthy Phillips would help Miami’s front seven as it transitions under new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.

Ravens Not Expected To Trade Back Out Of First Round?

April 13th, 2024 at 5:07pm CST by Ely Allen

Those who have followed the Ravens over the past several years may be a little surprised to hear that, sitting at the back end of the first round, the Ravens are not expected to trade back out of the first round. Team writers Clifton Brown and Ryan Mink noted after a pre-draft press conference this week that it would take a “premium” trade offer for the team to move down.

Trading back was a common practice for former general manager Ozzie Newsome, whether just moving back later into the first round or outside of the first round altogether in order to acquire more draft capital. Eric DeCosta, Newsome’s successor, has taken a bit of the opposite approach, twice trading players to obtain an extra first-round selection. DeCosta has been shown to value the fifth-year option that is standard on the contracts of first-round draft picks much more highly than Newsome did.

The Ravens aren’t in desperate need for more draft picks (they have nine at this point in the process), but the franchise has been notorious for hitting on early-Day Three picks. The team is also known for ignoring positions of need in favor of the “best player available” mentality. If they don’t feel the players available by the time their pick rolls around are worth their draft slot or are “must have” players, Baltimore still may opt to move down. Regardless, DeCosta has hopes that a player ranked in their own top-20 rankings finds their way down to the 30th pick. If not, the team would look for a team willing to give up a good haul to move back into Day 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft.

So, what are the Ravens going to be looking for at their draft slot? The team has reportedly been continuously linked to offensive tackles and wide receivers so far in the pre-draft process. While those are positions of need in most people’s eyes, those are also the positions that the team’s analysis tells them will have the most-valuable prospects still around that late in the draft. Proof of that thinking can be found in their approach to a first-round cornerback. Cornerback is also a glaring need for the Ravens, but the depth of the position likely won’t keep the draft’s better cornerbacks available that late into the first round, so Baltimore will focus more on the line and receiving corps.

Another position they may go to at No. 30 overall is edge rusher. The team knows that the top-end pass rushers will not be around late in the first round, so they are doing their homework on the second-tier players at the position. A few of those second-tier guys rank from the 25th to the 45th best prospects on the Ravens’ board, so DeCosta could hope to land one at 30 or 62, depending on the value available.

Lastly, DeCosta told the media that there is a “strong chance” that Baltimore will draft a running back at some point in the draft. The signing of veteran bell-cow Derrick Henry certainly reduced the need to draft a rusher early, but a lack of significant depth at the position makes adding a rookie a likely scenario. The rookie back will join Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell, coming back from knee surgery, behind Henry on the depth chart.

NFL Draft Rumors: Bowers, Giants, McKinstry

April 13th, 2024 at 4:17pm CST by Ely Allen

Two Georgia Bulldogs expected to be first-round picks later this month were unable to perform in their school’s pro day last month. Tight end Brock Bowers and offensive tackle Amarius Mims both hosted a private workout that saw a few teams in attendance, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. Neither player really performed usual pro day activities, forgoing the 40-yard dash or any jumping or agility testing. Mims didn’t even weigh in. In reality, the day saw the two go through a few position drills with Bowers running routes and Mims attempting some line drills.

Both players had tightrope surgeries during the college season to repair high-ankle sprains. They should be able to heal in time for their rookie seasons, but the recovery has kept them from participating in pre-draft activities. It doesn’t appear that the work outs did much to affect either player’s draft stock.

Tight ends coaches for the Giants, Jets, and Broncos were reportedly on hand to watch Bowers, according to Breer and Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda.com. ESPN’s Matt Miller tells us that the Colts are reportedly very interested in Bowers, as well. One of his sources claims that Indianapolis would “run the card in” if Bowers is still available by the 15th pick of the draft.

Here are a few other rumors surrounding the 2024 NFL Draft:

  • One of the teams on hand to view Bowers, the Giants could be viewing the tight end as a backup plan. Many have pegged New York as a team that could potentially attempt to move up from their No. 6 overall pick to draft a quarterback in the top four picks. As we move closer to the decisive day, though, it’s looking less and less likely. According to Miller at ESPN, the Giants are expected to stay at sixth overall (a perfect place to find Bowers) and attempt to draft a passer with their No. 47 overall pick in the second round. At that point of the draft, they expect that options like Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon’s Bo Nix may still be available. The team still claims to be committed to starting quarterback Daniel Jones, but the veteran’s inability to stay on the field has led New York to explore options to replace him, according to Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports.
  • Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, born Ga’Quincy, has had a busy spring full of pre-draft visits. Since earlier reported visits with the Jaguars, Buccaneers, Lions, and Packers, we’ve seen reported visits with four more teams. Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com tells us that McKinstry visited the Titans on Tuesday, and Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report informs us of visits with the Eagles, Giants, and Falcons, as well. McKinstry and his teammate, Terrion Arnold, have been extremely popular with the several teams who view cornerback as a position of need in 2024. McKinstry’s recovery from surgery on a foot fracture continues to heal nicely as he stays on track to return in time for his rookie season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

NFL Contract Details: Giants, Danna, Wright

April 13th, 2024 at 2:38pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are some details on contracts recently signed around the NFL:

  • Drew Lock, QB (Giants): One year, $5MM. Opposed to initial thoughts, the announced value of $5MM is pretty true to the actual value of Lock’s new deal, if not a bit underreported. According to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, the contract will have a guaranteed value of $4.95MM with only a $50K workout bonus not being guaranteed. As the projected starter for spring ball, Lock will almost certainly collect that workout bonus. In addition, Lock will be able to earn up to $3MM in incentives. $1MM can come from playing time ($250K for 40-49 percent of the team’s offensive snaps, $250K for 50-59 percent, $250 for 60-69 percent, and $250 for 70+ percent); $1MM can come from personal performance with a minimum of 224 pass attempts ($250K for 92.5 passer rating, $250K for a completion percentage of at least 65, $250K for 15 touchdown passes and an 88 passer rating, $250K for 2,000 passing yards and an 88 passer rating); and $1MM can come from playing time and team performance ($500K for 55-69 percent of the team’s offensive snaps and a playoff berth, $500K for 70+ percent and a playoff berth).
  • Isaiah McKenzie, WR (Giants): One year, $1.38MM. Per Duggan, McKenzie’s new contract has a guaranteed amount consisting of a $75K signing bonus, a much lower signing bonus than other New York receivers on veteran minimum deals. He can make an additional $92.5K in per game active roster bonuses for the year.
  • Jordan Phillips, DT (Giants): One year, $1.8MM. Duggan also gave us details on Phillips’ new deal, reporting a guaranteed amount of $430K in the form of a signing bonus. Phillips can earn an additional $100K in a workout bonus and $50K in per game active roster bonuses.
  • Mike Danna, DE (Chiefs): Three years, $24MM. The $13MM of guaranteed money that was originally reported is comprised of a $6.5MM signing bonus, the entirety of Danna’s 2024 base salary of $2.25MM, and $4.25MM of his 2025 base salary (worth a total of $5.24MM). Danna can earn a workout bonus of $250K in each of year of the deal and will receive per game active roster bonuses in the second and third years of the deal that can total up to $510K per year.
  • Brock Wright, TE (Lions): Three years, $12MM. The Lions matched the 49ers’ offer sheet for Wright and signed him to a new deal that includes a guaranteed amount of $4.6MM. That amount consists of a $3.55MM signing bonus and Wright’s 2024 base salary of $1.06MM. Next year, Wright can earn a potential option bonus of $2.23MM and workout bonuses of $50K apiece in the second and third years of the deal. Also, in those back two years, Wright can earn $255K in $15K per game active roster bonuses in 2025 and $340K in $20K per game active roster bonuses in 2026. The contract also includes a potential out after the second year that would allow Detroit to avoid a $4.85MM cap hit with only $2.13MM of dead cap.

Giants Keeping Evan Neal At RT; Team Viewing Jermaine Eluemunor As G?

April 13th, 2024 at 12:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jermaine Eluemunor‘s Raiders run offers the Giants some flexibility up front. The veteran, who received a considerable raise from the Giants this offseason, played tackle and guard in Las Vegas. A potential threat to Evan Neal, Eluemunor looks to first be on track to return to an inside role.

Although Neal has not delivered anything close to what the Giants hoped for when they chose him seventh overall in 2022, no plans to kick the Alabama alum inside are on tap. Neal is staying at right tackle, SNY’s Connor Hughes notes.

Neal missed the second half of last season due to the fractured ankle — a diagnosis that surfaced after his rehab stalled — he suffered in early November, but he may be on notice after concerning early returns. Pro Football Focus has rated Neal as the NFL’s second-worst tackle regular (80th of 81) in each of his two seasons. The Giants, who saw top-10 investments fail to produce a tackle answer in Justin Pugh and Ereck Flowers during the 2010s, would be staring at a major draft whiff if this trajectory continues.

The Giants gave Eluemunor a two-year, $14MM deal on Day 1 of the legal tampering period. This marks a significant raise from Eluemunor’s most recent Raiders contract (one year, $3MM), with his Giants guarantee ($6.75MM) outpacing each of his three Raiders deals combined. Although Eluemunor’s work as Las Vegas’ right tackle garnered him this Giants deal, Big Blue added him to start somewhere else up front, according to The Athletic’s Dan Duggan, who lists the eighth-year veteran as the team’s right guard starter opposite fellow UFA addition Jon Runyan Jr. (subscription required). Runyan worked at both guard posts in Green Bay, but Duggan adds he prefers left guard.

Playing a key role in Josh Jacobs‘ 2022 rushing title, Eluemunor graded 21st and 36th at tackle (per PFF) over the past two years. He has experience as an emergency RT solution, having provided the Raiders a safety net after their surprise Alex Leatherwood first-round investment bombed. Eluemunor also played exclusively at right guard in 2021 (though, he only logged 266 snaps that year). Exclusively a tackle in his only other extended starter run (with the Patriots in 2020), Eluemunor at guard seems a somewhat risky proposition for the Giants due to his limited NFL history here.

The team held a guard competition last year, one that featured Ben Bredeson, Mark Glowinski and Joshua Ezeudu. The team had expected Ezeudu, a 2022 third-round pick, would win the starting left guard job. But he did not do so out of training camp; the North Carolina alum suffered a season-ending toe injury in October. While Ezeudu remains on New York’s roster, Bredeson, Glowinski and Shane Lemieux are out of the picture. The team did add ex-Buccaneers spot starter Aaron Stinnie and swingman Austin Schlottmann in free agency, potentially offering help if Eluemunor needs to be moved back to tackle to replace Neal.

Neal was viewed by some as a future guard when he entered the draft, having started 13 games at left guard in 2019. GM Joe Schoen, however, said midway through last season the team still viewed Neal as a tackle. As the Giants begin their offseason, that remains the plan. Though, Neal’s January surgery may leave him sidelined during part of the offseason program. Once the 23-year-old blocker returns to work, this will be a pivotal offseason.

Extra Points: Onside Kick, 18-Game Season, Olympics, UFL, Lions

April 13th, 2024 at 12:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

Since the rule change that prevented running starts on onside kicks came to pass in 2018, the onside kick has been rendered largely irrelevant. The league greenlighting an experiment involving the XFL-style kickoff will further tilt the odds toward receiving teams, as onside kicks now must be declared in advance. Teams were 2-for-41 in onside kicks last season and 3-for-56 in 2022. The Eagles’ proposal to replace the onside kick with a fourth-and-20 play failed, just as similar offerings have in the recent past. but competition committee member Rich McKay hopes some momentum for this alternative will build in 2025.

“There was a lot to do to get the kickoff proposal passed this year, so I’m for that next year,” McKay said (via the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin) of further discussion on the fourth-and-20 option. “There’s no question that, I call them the traditionalists, they don’t like that discussion very much. But I do think there’s something to discuss there. Because we’ll have another year of onside kick data, which I bet you shows us we’re not recovering very many.”

The NFL has made a few changes over the past decade to inject more drama into on-field sequences, allowing two-point conversion returns and moving the extra point back. The kickoff change qualifies as a far more radical effort; this effort going well in 2024 could open up discussion on the fourth-and-20 option a year from now.

Briefly shifting gears from draft-geared content, here are more recent news to come out of the pro football universe:

  • The NFL also recently moved its trade deadline back a week, though multiple teams championed a proposal to slide the deadline back two weeks. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio recently connected these proposals to a future in which the NFL pushes its regular season to 18 games. Some around the NFL view that as likely, though Florio does not expect this long-rumored topic to become a front-burner matter until the next CBA (the current deal expires after the 2030 season). New NFLPA president Jalen Reeves-Maybin did not dismiss the idea outright. “I think that people are kind of running with it right now cause it slipped out there,” Reeves-Maybin said, via the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett. “But I think there’s a lot of other things to gain, and when that time comes, we’ll address that.” If/when this becomes a bargaining point, further expansion to the schedule will likely require a major concession from the NFL.
  • More momentum has emerged for NFL players to participate in the flag football program when it debuts at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Discussions between the league and the union have begun, and NFL executive VP of football operations Troy Vincent said (via the Sports Business Journal’s Daniel Kaplan) he expects players to be permitted to play in the Olympics.
  • The USFL and recent XFL incarnations have sent players to the NFL; the Cowboys carry two Pro Bowlers (Brandon Aubrey, KaVontae Turpin) from the USFL. The new UFL has produced a player to monitor early. Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates, who has made a 64- and 62-yard field goals already, has drawn interest from multiple teams, per the Detroit News Tony Paul. The Lions have reached out to the Detroit-based UFL club, Paul adds. NFL teams can contact UFL clubs about players, Birkett adds, but they are not supposed to contact players directly. The Cowboys added Aubrey after last year’s USFL season; Bates cannot join an NFL team until the UFL’s season wraps. Until this UFL season, Bates — a Central Arkansas soccer player and Texas State kickoff specialist — had not made a field goal in a game since high school. The Texans waived him after barely a week last year, but this UFL start certainly puts him on the radar for another NFL opportunity.

Commanders Expected To Draft QB Jayden Daniels?

April 12th, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Commanders are set to host all three of the top quarterback prospects expected to be on the board when they are on the clock at No. 2 overall. While the team still has plenty to do in the ongoing evaluation process, a favorite may have emerged.

Opinions are split on which passer out of Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy will come off the board after Caleb Williams (who is widely expected to hear his name called first overall). Over the course of the pre-draft process, though, Daniels has seen his stock experience a boost in the wake of his Heisman-winning season from 2023. As such, he remains firmly in contention to head to the nation’s capital.

ESPN’s Matt Miller writes NFL executives and scouts consider Daniels the likeliest pick for the Commanders. None of the evaluators polled for that assessment are within the Commanders’ organization, however, so the team’s ultimate decision will likely not become clear until the night of Round 1. Still, it comes as little surprise that signs point toward a Daniels selection on Washington’s part.

The Arizona State transfer spent the past two years at LSU. He posted by far his most productive campaign in 2023, scoring 50 total touchdowns (40 passing, 10 rushing) while completing 72.% of his passes and throwing just four interceptions. Daniels has drawn praise for his processing ability in addition to his notable rushing totals.

However, he will be 24 by the end of his rookie campaign in the NFL, leading to concerns Maye and/or McCarthy could have more upside. Both members of the latter pair also have a much larger frame than Daniels, and questions have been raised regarding his ability to withstand the physicality of the pro game especially considering his dual-threat skillset. Still, Daniels should provide his next team with a relatively high floor, and the interest shown from other QB-needy teams suggests he should not need to wait long to hear his name called.

Washington has a ‘top 30’ visit lined up with each of Daniels, Maye and McCarthy next week. It is after that point that first-year general manager Adam Peters, new head coach Dan Quinn and Co. will arrive at a final commitment with respect to a new franchise signal-caller. As John Keim notes in the aforementioned ESPN piece, Quinn has stated post-snap processing is a trait being targeted in the Commanders’ ongoing search. That factor – along with the expectations of personnel around the league – could point in Daniels’ direction for the second overall pick.

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