Mel Kiper Jr. debates value of Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye as NFL Draft prospects

Mel Kiper turned heads when he officially listed LSU’s Jayden Daniels as the No. 2 quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft, surpassing North Carolina’s Drake Maye. Maye had previously been considered the No. 2 QB by a considerable margin.

However, as the collegiate season dwindled and Daniels brought home the Heisman Trophy, the public opinion began to shift. Kiper led the way. On Monday, the ESPN insider explained his decision to ranking Daniels ahead of Maye.

“Drake Maye had three games, even after Tez Walker came back — Clemson game, Virginia game, NC State game — I keep harping on it because I went back and looked at those games time and time again. I said, ‘OK, why were those throws not accurately delivered?’ There was no reason. I think you look at Jayden, how many games like that did he have? Zero.

“Jayden Daniels was lights out all year. Jayden Daniels was on fire all year in pressure situations, where he had to match points with the opposition. Yes, he had Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers, but you think about where we are right now with Jayden Daniels, he might have made everybody better.”

In the 2023 campaign, Daniels completed 236-of-327 passes for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns with just four interceptions while also rushing for 1,134 yards and another 10 scores, leading the Tigers to a 9-3 regular season.

He became the first LSU Tiger to win the Heisman Trophy since Joe Burrow brought home the hardware in 2019. Daniels led the nation in total offense (4,946) in the regular season as well as touchdowns responsible for (50), passer rating (208.0), yards per pass attempt (11.7) and rushing yards by a quarterback (1,134).

In comparison, Maye completed 269-of-his-425 (63.3%) pass attempts in the 2023 campaign for 3,608 yards, 24 TDs and nine picks. Despite his inferior statistics, Maye boasts speed and accuracy that is rare in a collegiate player.

Nonetheless, Kiper claims Maye isn’t the only QB who knows how to use his legs.

“Daniels stressed the defense phenomenally well with his legs. This guy is a remarkable running threat,” Kiper said. “He keeps plays alive like where other quarterbacks would have been sacked or just thrown the ball away. He’s gonna create things when nothing’s there.

“I just say what’s he lacking? He had two years back-to-back where he was aggressive with his legs or aggressive with his arm, and didn’t turn the ball over. Runs aggressively, throws aggressively, and wasn’t a turnover nightmare.”

The Washington Commanders have the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. They are expected to draft a quarterback. While Kiper believes Daniels is the better prospect, only time will tell. The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25.