Joel Klatt explains why Jayden Daniels makes sense for New England Patriots

Many will be curious to see if the reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels can translate his impressive play on Saturdays last season to Sundays in the upcoming NFL season ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.

The LSU quarterback is one of the top prospects in the latest draft, with college football analyst Joel Klatt forecasting Daniels to be selected No. 3 overall by the New England Patriots after Caleb Williams and Drake Maye.

“So the Patriots have to go quarterback as well, and for me the number three quarterback on my list is Jayden Daniels from LSU,” Klatt said. “Daniels was sensational as the Heisman Trophy winner and he does so many things that now in the modern day NFL I think translate.”

Daniels established himself as the best dual-threat quarterback in college football last season, throwing for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns and rushing for 1,134 yards and 10 scores with his legs. And with the popularity of dual-threat quarterbacks continuing to rise in prominence within the NFL, Daniels could be the next in line to follow in the footsteps of names like Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts.

“10 years ago I think there would have been a bigger debate surrounding Jayden Daniels. One, because it’s not like he’s the biggest quarterback I’ve ever seen in order to be mobile,” Klatt explained. “But his mobility and athleticism along with his ability to attack down the field throwing the ball in intermediate and downfield zones. That combination makes him very attractive to the next level.”

The ability of Daniels combined with the inability at the quarterback position recently for the Patriots makes Klatt strongly feel that he can be the guy under center for New England next season. Potentially giving the Pats a dynamic athlete as their signal caller for the first time in a very long time for the franchise.

“I think it’s pretty obvious New England has been searching for a QB. Mac Jones is not gonna be the answer, he was benched for the last six games for Bailey Zappe and neither of those guys is the future. So the future in New England, at least from my seat, looks to be Jayden Daniels the quarterback at LSU,” Klatt concluded.