X

Jayden Daniels: 'I Was Pretty Confident' Commanders Would Draft Me No. 2 Overall

Jack MurrayApril 26, 2024

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 25: Jayden Daniels poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected second overall by the Washington Commanders during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza on April 25, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Jayden Daniels is headed to the nation's capital.

The Washington Commanders selected Daniels with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. This makes him the second quarterback off the board after the Chicago Bears took Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

JAYDEN DANIELS IS HEADING TO THE Commanders 🙌<br><br>Put up one of the best Heisman seasons ever at LSU 🌟<br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/AlbertBreer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@albertbreer</a>) <a href="https://t.co/GWNzNGRIAk">pic.twitter.com/GWNzNGRIAk</a>

Washington Commanders @Commanders

That Kid's coming to Washington<a href="https://twitter.com/JayD__5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JayD__5</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RaiseHail?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RaiseHail</a> <a href="https://t.co/jv177LRMX2">pic.twitter.com/jv177LRMX2</a>

NFL @NFL

The <a href="https://twitter.com/Commanders?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Commanders</a> take reigning Heisman winner <a href="https://twitter.com/JayD__5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JayD__5</a> with the 2nd pick! <br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLDraft</a> on NFLN/ESPN/ABC<br>📱: Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLPlus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/JC1XSG0r67">pic.twitter.com/JC1XSG0r67</a>

Daniels said he knew there was a strong chance he would go to the Commanders.

NFL Network @nflnetwork

"I can't wait to meet my new teammates and help win football games."<br><br>Jayden Daniels tells <a href="https://twitter.com/KayleeHartung?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KayleeHartung</a> he ready to get to work for the <a href="https://twitter.com/Commanders?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Commanders</a>. <br><br>📺: 2024 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLDraft</a> – 8pm ET on NFLN/ESPN/ABC<br>📱: Also streaming on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLPlus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/BG6ZEQE306">pic.twitter.com/BG6ZEQE306</a>

"I was pretty confident," Daniels said. "I try to play some games but I was pretty confident for sure."

He then continued by saying he is excited for the opportunity to play for the franchise and is ready to "get to work."

"I'm here to get the work," Daniels said. "Washington is going to get everything out of me. I can't wait to meet my new teammates and help them try to win some football games.

Heading into the 2023 season, Daniels was not on the radar for potential top picks. However, a sensational collegiate season for Daniels resulted in the LSU Tiger shooting up the draft boards and winning the Heisman Trophy,

Daniels threw for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns in 2023 while also adding 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. He was rated as the No. 3 quarterback and No. 31 overall player in the draft by Bleacher Report's Scouting Department.

He joins a Commanders team that certainly is in need of some star power. Washington went 4-13 in 2023, which put them in position to make the selection. The Commanders have not made the playoffs since 2020 and have not earned a 10-win season since 2012.

That year came after the franchise took Robert Griffin III with the No. 2 pick, and he would go on to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. 12 years later, Washington will hope a quarterback at No. 2 will bring it to the promised land.