Former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels is likely to be a top-five pick in the 2024 NFL draft. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound passer won the Heisman Trophy in 2023 after throwing 40 touchdown passes and just four interceptions while adding 10 rushing scores. He played two seasons at LSU, totaling 78 touchdowns, and three seasons at Arizona State, totaling 45 touchdowns.
Daniels is ranked No. 3 overall in the ESPN consensus rankings ahead of the 2024 draft. Here's how draft experts Mel Kiper Jr., Matt Miller, Steve Muench from Scouts Inc., Jordan Reid and Field Yates rank him in this class, along with their scouting reports:
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Jayden Daniels scouting report and rankings
Kiper's ranking: No. 2 overall, No. 2 QB
I went deep on Daniels' future ahead of him taking home the Heisman Trophy. In short, he was consistent enough over the final two months of the regular season that I now feel comfortable moving him into my Big Board. I have a first-round grade on him, and he could go as high as No. 2. Over two seasons at LSU -- after he transferred from Arizona State -- Daniels threw 57 touchdown passes with just seven interceptions and added 21 rushing scores. He ranked No. 1 in the country in Total QBR last season (95.6), completing 72.2% of his passes while averaging 11.7 yards per attempt. Those are spectacular numbers.
Daniels has rare ability as a dual-threat playmaker. He can evade, elude and blow by defenders, but he also impressed with the way he can run through contact. But it's his improvement as a passer that has him looking like a Round 1 selection. Yes, having blue chip wideouts Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. to throw to was a huge benefit, but they also were fortunate to have a passer like Daniels with a big-time skill set directing the offense. -- Kiper
Yates' ranking: No. 2 overall, No. 2 QB
The best player in college football last season can put your defense in a bind with his ability to both carve up a secondary as a thrower and scramble past any defender as a runner. Daniels picked apart zone coverage in 2023 (21 TD passes, 0 INTs) and thrived when blitzed (17 TD passes, 0 INTs). And he is surgical as a downfield passer. -- Yates
Scouts Inc. ranking: No. 3 overall, No. 2 QB
Daniels is the only player in FBS history to pass for 12,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards. He gets the ball out quickly when he likes the pre-snap look. He gets through his progressions given time and flashes great anticipation throwing over the middle. His completion percentage has steadily improved over the past four seasons, and he's accurate on tape. Daniels also extends plays, and he's one of the most dangerous runners in the class regardless of position. He's quick, has good contact balance and shows pull-away speed. -- Muench
Miller's ranking: No. 5 overall, No. 2 QB
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Daniels was the most improved player in college football last season, as his passing touchdown total went from 17 to 40. Playing in the ultra-competitive SEC, he also rushed for 1,230 yards (not including sacks) and 10 scores. Daniels is an elite dual-threat whose improved patience and vision in the pocket allowed him to become a supreme passer. His lean body type may give some teams pause, but his deep-ball passing and rushing ability are special traits. -- Miller
Reid's ranking: No. 5 overall, No. 3 QB
Every year, there's a quarterback who makes a surprise ascension after a breakout season. That's Daniels this time around. He finished first in the FBS in Total QBR and passing yards per attempt (11.7). An exceptional vertical passer, Daniels has a great feel for layering the ball, completing 67% of passes thrown 20-plus yards downfield. Daniels is also an instinctive runner who can turn quick scrambles into explosive plays. The next step for him is learning to drive the ball in the intermediate areas and showcasing more consistent ball placement over the middle. -- Reid