NFL draft: LSU QB Jayden Daniels taken No. 2 overall by Commanders

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Sports Writer

DETROIT — Jayden Daniels was not sure the Washington Commanders would call his name, after months of questions about which quarterback they wanted. He’s glad they did.

Washington selected Daniels with the second pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night, choosing the Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU over North Carolina’s Drake Maye, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Michigan national champion J.J. McCarthy. Unlike Chicago leading off with USC QB Caleb Williams, as expected, the Commanders kept everyone, including the AP’s college football player of the year, in suspense until the last moment.

“They did a pretty good job of not showing their hand too much,” said Daniels, who starred at San Bernardino’s Cajon High. “But I was pretty confident based off the conversations that we had that I was able to come here and fit into the Commanders team. I’m here now. I can’t wait to get to work.”

Daniels had for quite some time been the favorite to go to the Commanders, though buzz over the past week put that in doubt after reports surfaced that he and his agent were not happy with the team hosting four QB prospects at once. Daniels, May, McCarthy and Penix all visited the practice facility and area together, including a group trip to Topgolf.

“Everybody had a great time and it was very beneficial to see everybody in a more relaxed environment,” General Manager Adam Peters said last week. “They all got a lot of time individually with their coaches, with us, where they were staggered coming in, too, so it wasn’t like they were sitting in a room together. They all had their own individual time with everybody, so, it worked out really well.”

Well enough to smooth over any issues and make Daniels the centerpiece of the Commanders’ rebuilding process and roster overhaul under Peters and an ownership group led by Josh Harris that has been in charge since August.

“Selecting a winner like Jayden Daniels will energize the players and our fan base!” co-owner and Lakers legend Magic Johnson posted on social media.

Short of Williams, a Washington-area native who would have been a no-brainer if the Bears passed on him for some reason, Daniels became the pick after leading the nation in total offense last season with 4,946 yards – 412.2 on average over 12 games. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound QB ranked fifth with 3,812 yards passing and with 40 touchdowns trailed just Oregon’s Bo Nix, who played in two extra games. He also ran for 10 more.

Daniels, 23, blossomed into a star over two seasons at LSU after transferring in 2022 following three years at Arizona State. He became an increasingly decisive pocket passer as his trust in receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. grew, and he became more adept at buying time by scrambling rather than giving up on plays and taking off running.

It’s unclear if Daniels will play right away, get the chance to compete for the starting job or sit and learn behind veteran Marcus Mariota, who is willing to be a mentor after signing a one-year deal in free agency. Whether it’s Daniels, Mariota or journeyman Jeff Driskel, Washington will have an eighth different Week 1 starting QB in as many seasons after trading Sam Howell to Seattle last month.

“I’m just coming in to compete,” Daniels said. “I’m going to come in and really just trying to play my role, whatever that is. I just want to be the best teammate to help the team win, and we can bring some victories back to Washington.”

Drafted second by Washington 12 years after the organization took Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III out of Baylor in the same spot, Daniels becomes the face of the Commanders under coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

Daniels cited Kingsbury’s work with Kyler Murray while coaching the Arizona Cardinals as one reason he is excited to play for him.

“The offensive staff, their track record speaks for itself,” Daniels said. “Kliff was over there with Kyler and what he did as a head coach, and for quite some time he had Kyler in the MVP conversation.”

Asked on ESPN after being drafted what the coaching staff can do to get the most from him, Daniels said: “Just believe in me. It’s going to be a grind. We’re going to work. I’m a hard worker, man, so I can’t wait.”

This is the fourth draft with quarterbacks going with the first three picks.

It matched 2021 (Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance), 1971 (Jim Plunkett, Archie Manning, Dan Pastorini) and 1999 (Tim Couch, Donovan McNabb, Akili Smith).

At No. 8, the Atlanta Falcons made a stunning decision to choose Penix despite signing Kirk Cousins to a massive contract in free agency. Penix made it four quarterbacks in the top 10 for just the second time since 1949. It also happened in 2018 (Baker Mayfield, USC’s Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, UCLA’s Josh Rosen).

The Denver Broncos chose Oregon’s Nix with the 12th pick, tying the 1983 draft with six QBs in the first round. Three of those became Hall of Famers – John Elway, Dan Marino and Jim Kelly. Todd Blackledge, Tony Eason and Ken O’Brien also went in the first round in 1983.

Nearly the entire first half of the draft was offensive players. A defensive player wasn’t selected until UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu went at No. 15 to Indianapolis. That’s the latest a first defensive player has ever gone.

The Arizona Cardinals snapped the early QB trend, choosing Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth pick. The Chargers opened the Jim Harbaugh era by taking Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt instead of giving Justin Herbert a No. 1 wide receiver to replace Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

The New York Giants then snatched up LSU receiver Nabers at No. 6. The Tennessee Titans took Alabama offensive tackle J.C. Latham with the seventh pick and the Bears selected Washington wideout Rome Odunze at No. 9.

The New York Jets, who dropped to No. 11, chose offensive tackle Olu Fashanu, giving Aaron Rodgers more protection. The Las Vegas Raiders got Georgia tight end Brock Bowers at No. 13. The New Orleans Saints took Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga with the 14th pick before the Colts grabbed Latu.

Previously, the latest a first defensive player was selected was No. 8. Latu started a short trend. The Seattle Seahawks took Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy next and the Vikings made another trade to move up and take Alabama edge Dallas Turner at No. 17.

The Cincinnati Bengals chose Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims and the Rams got Florida State edge Jared Verse at No. 19, the team’s first selection in the first round since taking Jared Goff at No. 1 in 2016.

Wearing a navy suit with silver accents, Williams swiftly walked on stage and screamed “Woooo! Yeah!” before giving Roger Goodell a bear hug, careful not to squeeze too hard because the NFL commissioner had back surgery three weeks ago.

Williams is the third quarterback Chicago has selected in the first round in the past eight years. Mitch Trubisky, the No. 2 overall pick in 2017, lasted four seasons. Justin Fields, the 11th pick in 2021, was traded away for a conditional sixth-round pick after three seasons.

The 22-year-old Williams is tasked with turning the Bears into a winner after years of futility. Chicago has had just two winning seasons since its most recent playoff victory in the 2010 season.

Rap icon Eminem walked on stage in a Lions sweatshirt and cap shortly after Goodell to kick off the night. The Motor City native riled up the fans before turning it over to Lions stars Jared Goff, Aidan Hutchinson, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Hall of Famers Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson.

St. Brown led them in chanting “Jar-ed Goff!” and Johnson kept it short: “Whaddup doe?”

An estimated crowd of 275,000, many wearing their Honolulu blue Lions jerseys, filled the streets surrounding the draft theater and turned the NFL’s biggest offseason event into a giant party.

They roared when the Lions moved up five spots in a trade with Dallas and took Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold with the 24th pick.

Maye is the second QB the Patriots have selected in the first round since Tom Brady left the team after the 2019 season. Mac Jones didn’t work out and now it’s Maye’s turn to be the man in a new era that starts without Bill Belichick.

Harrison, the son of Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison, caught 67 passes for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns in his final season with the Buckeyes.

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected versatile Washington offensive lineman Troy Fautanu at No. 20. Penn State edge Chop Robinson went next to the Miami Dolphins and the Philadelphia Eagles went with Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.

LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was chosen by the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 23. After the Lions took Arnold, the Green Bay Packers selected Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton.

Missouri edge Darius Robinson went to Arizona. The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs made a deal with AFC rival Buffalo to move up and take Texas wideout Xavier Worthy at No. 28.

The Cowboys chose Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton and the Baltimore Ravens got Clemson defensive back Nate Wiggins.

The defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers added another playmaker, taking Florida wideout Ricky Pearsall and the Carolina Panthers made a trade to get South Carolina wideout Xavier Legette with the last pick of the first round at No. 32.

The players selected in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday night in Detroit.

1. Chicago Bears (via trade with Carolina) – Caleb Williams, QB, 6-foot-1, 214 pounds, USC

Scouting report: Mahomes-esque traits with the instincts, mobility and arm talent to breakdown a defense even when it does everything right. The only questions are about playing within structure because the structure so often broke down at USC, especially in 2023.

2. Washington Commanders – Jayden Daniels, QB, 6-3, 210, LSU

Scouting report: Accurate deep passer and explosive runner with a slender frame. He scrambles to run, not necessarily to create opportunities to pass.

3. New England Patriots – Drake Maye, QB, 6-4, 223, North Carolina

Scouting report: Size, arm strength and athleticism are ideal. Can make a variety of throws with accuracy, but can be erratic and reckless at times, trying too hard to be a playmaker.

4. Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, 6-3, 209, Ohio State

Scouting report: Precise route-runner with superb body control. Strong and explosive. Not elusive after the catch and blocking could use more consistent effort, but one of the most polished receiver prospects to enter the NFL in years.

5. Chargers – Joe Alt, OT, 6-8, 321, Notre Dame

Scouting report: Technically sound, huge and strong. Not an exceptional athlete, but the three-year starter’s worst-case scenario seems to be solid NFL starter.

6. New York Giants – Malik Nabers, WR, 6-2, 199, LSU

Scouting report: Smooth deep threat with breakaway acceleration was LSU’s career leader in receiving yards and receptions. Will be challenged to play with more power at the next level.

7. Tennessee Titans – JC Latham, OT, 6-5, 342, Alabama

Scouting report: Massive and dominant run blocking right tackle who at times struggled to recognize blitzes and recover.

8. Atlanta Falcons – Michael Penix Jr., QB, 6-2, 216, Washington

Scouting report: Prolific left-handed passer with accuracy and arm strength to attack the whole field. His injury history (knee and shoulders), age (24) and questions about his ability deliver consistently when pressured made him a polarizing prospect.

9. Chicago Bears – Rome Odunze, WR, 6-2, 212, Washington

Scouting report: Exceptional ball skills and reliable hands. Not quite as explosive as Harrison and Nabers but Penix’s top target was probably more consistent.

10. Minnesota Vikings (via trade with New York Jets) – J.J. McCarthy, QB, 6-2, 219, Michigan

Scouting report: A difficult prospect to evaluate. Has all the physical tools plus scores well on intangibles such as leadership and maturity, but Michigan’s run-heavy scheme did not ask much of him compared to other top quarterbacks.

11. New York Jets (via trade with Minnesota) – Olu Fashanu, OT, 6-6, 312, Penn State

Scouting report: Checks all the boxes for size, athleticism and character. Was not as consistently dominant as tools suggest he should have been, but he’s also a relatively young (turns 22 in December) and inexperienced player (started playing in high school) for someone who spent four years in college.

12. Denver Broncos – Bo Nix, QB, 6-2, 215, Oregon

Scouting report: One of the most experienced quarterbacks to ever come out of college with a record 61 career starts. The 24-year-old Auburn transfer has good mobility and solid arm strength, but misses some makeable downfield throws. Has he already peaked?

13. Las Vegas Raiders – Brock Bowers, TE, 6-3, 243, Georgia

Scouting report: Elite athlete, with excellent hands and the speed and toughness to turn routine plays into huge gains after the catch. In today’s NFL, he’s a bit undersized, which could limit how he’s used as a blocker.

14. New Orleans Saints – Taliese Fuaga, OT, 6-5, 324, Oregon State

Scouting report: Powerful run blocker who plays with excellent balance. There is some concern his average athleticism and wingspan could push him to guard.

15. Indianapolis Colts – Laiatu Latu, DE, 6-4, 259, UCLA

Scouting report: Skilled and technically proficient pass rusher with good size. Neither his burst nor power are elite, but the whole package works. A neck injury forced him to medically retire in 2020 at Washington, but transferred to UCLA and became a star.

16. Seattle Seahawks – Byron Murphy II, DT, 6-0, 297, Texas

Scouting report: Plays low and explosive and often ends up in the backfield, but needs to finish more plays when he gets there.

17. Minnesota Vikings (via trade from Jacksonville) – Dallas Turner, OLB, 6-2, 247, Alabama

Scouting report: Long and twitchy athlete who bursts off the edge. Wiry frame is unlikely to hold much more bulk.

18. Cincinnati Bengals – Amarius Mims, OT, 6-7, 340, Georgia

Scouting report: If an NFL offensive tackle could be designed in a lab, that player would have Mims’ combination of size and athleticism. He just hasn’t played a lot of ball compared to the other tackles, with just eight career starts.

19. Rams – Jared Verse, DE, 6-3, 254, Florida State

Scouting report: Nonstop in pass rush and run pursuit, but could use to refine his technique and tackling after starting is college career at UAlbany in New York.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Troy Fautanu, OT, 6-4, 317, Washington

Scouting report: Maybe the most athletic of the tackles and plays with an edge. Less than ideal length could push him off left tackle and inside.

21. Miami Dolphins – Chop Robinson, DE, 6-2, 254, Penn State

Scouting report: Freaky quickness off the line, but was more disruptive than dominant as he failed to finish plays. Ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash at the combine.

22. Philadelphia Eagles – Quinyon Mitchell, CB, 6-0, 195, Toledo

Scouting report: The best size, strength, speed combo among the cornerback class, but how much was he tested in the MAC? He looked just fine at the Senior Bowl, though.

23. Jacksonville Jaguars (via trade with Minnesota through Cleveland from Houston) – Brian Thomas, WR, 6-2, 209, LSU

Scouting report: Top-end speed is elite and with a bigger frame than his teammate Nabers, but he could use more polish as a route-runner. Led the nation with 17 TD catches.

24. Detroit Lions (via trade with Dallas) – Terrion Arnold, CB, 5-11, 189, Alabama

Scouting report: Sound and aggressive cover corner who has a less than top-end speed. He ran a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash at the combine.

25. Green Bay Packers – Jordan Morgan, OT, 6-5, 311, Arizona

Scouting report: Athletic and strong run blocker who recovered from a torn ACL in 2022 to return to top form by the end of 2023 season. Short arms could move him inside.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Graham Barton, OT, 6-5, 313, Duke

Scouting report: Controls opponents with strong, quick hands, but seems most likely among the top tackle prospects to move inside. likely to center.

27. Arizona Cardinals (from Houston) – Darius Robinson, DE, 6-5, 285, Missouri

Scouting report: Powerful player who is stout against the run but might project as a ’tweener in the NFL, not quite big enough to play inside and not quite quick enough for the edge.

28. Kansas City Chiefs (via trade with Buffalo) – Xavier Worthy, WR, 5-11, 165, Texas

Scouting report: Blazing fast, but very small. Ran the 40 in 4.21 seconds to set an NFL combine record.

29. Dallas Cowboys (via trade from Detroit) – Tyler Guyton, OT, 6-7, 322, Oklahoma

Scouting report: Similar to Mims in terms of limited experience (15 college starts), but ideal size-athleticism combo. Technically raw.

30. Baltimore Ravens – Nate Wiggins, CB, 6-1, 173, Clemson

Scouting report: Long and very fast, but also thin and not much of a presence against the run.

31. San Francisco 49ers – Ricky Pearsall, WR, 6-1, 189, Florida

Scouting report: Great hands and good burst though his routes, but can get outmuscled by physical cornerbacks.

32. Carolina Panthers (via trade with Buffalo through Kansas City) – Xavier Legette, WR, 6-1, 221, South Carolina

Scouting report: Big, fast and physical receiver, though he didn’t breakout until his fifth college season.