The Washington Commanders have a conundrum with their No. 2 pick. They’ll be able to take any quarterback they want in the draft, sans Caleb Williams, who is expected to go No. 1 to the Chicago Bears. But the Commanders’ top wish doesn’t have the same enthusiasm about going No. 2 next week.
The Washington Commanders took a risk this week
The Commanders are narrowing down their options for the pick this week. They made headlines when they hosted over 20 prospects simultaneously for their official 30 visit this week. Former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniel’s agent, Ron Butler, didn’t care for the non-exclusive meeting with the Commanders’ brass.
Following Butler’s likes on X, the odds shifted dramatically from Daniels being the favorite to be drafted by the Commanders to a tie between him and former North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye.
Jayden Daniels has other interests besides the Commanders
Adam Schefter with ESPN provided an update on Daniels’ situation with the Commanders during his appearance Friday on the Pat McAfee Show. Schefter said Daniels has been “tracking” as the Commanders expected selection with the No. 2 pick, but it has become evident Daniels has an interest in going to other teams.
“We’ll see what the Washington Commanders do with that information,” Shefter said.
Schefter hinted Daniels has an interest in the Las Vegas Raiders, who would have to trade up for Daniels.
Daniels would likely want to be drafted by the Minnesota Vikings. I’ve heard from NFL insiders that most of the top quarterback prospects prefer Minnesota’s situation over the rest of the field, with two-star wide receivers and a good play-caller.
"It has been tracking for Jayden Daniels to go at number two..
It feels like Jayden Daniels has an interest in being other places..
We’ll see what the Washington Commanders do with that information" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive https://t.co/6pVLDVMIHO pic.twitter.com/U7nijL0ZQw
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 19, 2024
Daniels could give up a large sum of money to play elsewhere
The Commanders could still draft Daniels if they wanted. Daniels hasn’t flat-out refused the play for Washington. However, there could be enough friction between the Commanders and Daniels’ representation that they decide the juice isn’t worth the squeeze.
That’s a decision Daniels’ agent has made about his wallet, as Daniels stands to lose millions in his rookie deal by sliding in the draft. The gap between the No. 2 and No. 3 in last year’s draft was $1.2 million.
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