NFL Draft experts see Jayden Daniels as fast riser on boards

As the college football season quickly approaches the midway point, NFL Draft analysts have significantly more tape to watch and one player that keeps impressing is LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Daniels is in his second year as the starter at LSU, and while the Tigers have lost two games already, Daniels has done his part to make them competitive.

“Jayden Daniels at LSU, a player that I find myself becoming a fan of more every time they play,” said ESPN’s Matt Miller on the First Draft podcast. “It’s not always reflected in the win-loss, let’s be honest about that. But he’s a playmaker. He’s getting it done with his arm, he’s getting it done with his legs. This past week he carried that LSU offense.”

In that Ole Miss game, a loss for LSU, Daniels went 27-of-36 passing for 414 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. He also ran 15 times for 99 yards and a score.

He’s shown that kind of capability a couple times in his young LSU career.

And what stands out is his willingness to be that kind of a playmaker even if it means he gets drilled a couple times per game. That’s one of the NFL question marks for Jayden Daniels.

“I have questions about body type versus the way he plays,” Miller explained. “He’s a very lean body type but he is reckless at times with the way he is trying to jump over piles and hurdle guys and he’s taking these massive hits. So I think he’s got to rein that in a little bit. He’s 6-4, 210, so this is a lean-framed guy, but I’m really intrigued by the playmaking ability.”

So far this season, Daniels has thrown for at least 300 yards in all but one game. He has a 73.1% completion percentage and has already racked up 1,710 yards, with 16 touchdowns against just two interceptions.

Meanwhile, Daniels has run for 292 yards and three scores.

The scary part is in Miller’s evaluation, Daniels is doing it at times without a whole lot of help from his scheme.

“Arizona State transfer to LSU,” Miller said. “I don’t know that LSU is doing a whole lot to help him at times, it’s almost like they just want to chuck the ball up to those great receivers they have is what the scheme feels like, but I’m definitely a Jayden Daniels fan as we hit almost midseason.”