Jayden Daniels Scouting Report  

Jayden Daniels had the greatest individual college football season ever. 

He won:

• the Heisman Trophy
• Walter Camp Award
• Davey O’Brien Award
• and more

He accounted for 50 total TDs and dominated SEC defenses.

Truly Historic Production

Daniels delivered the second-best EPA per play in ESPN QBR history, behind only Kyler Murray. He also crushed the historic competition in numerous statistics including:

• adjusted pass yards per attempt
• QB rating
• yards per carry

Daniels enthralled the devy community after his freshman season at Arizona State but was left for dead a year later after the entire team crumbled because of poor coaching and NCAA investigations. His resurgence to become one of the top QBs in the NFL Draft is a rare feat.

Let’s take a look at how Daniels' body of work may translate to the NFL after landing in Washington …

Jayden Daniels Draft Profile

Jayden Daniels Combine Results

Jayden Daniels did not participate at the NFL Combine -- including the weigh-in. He did throw at LSU’s March 27 Pro Day.

Jayden Daniels College Stats

Dual-Threat Phenom

Daniels displayed the ability to win with his arm or legs as early as high school. At Cajon High School in San Bernardino, California, Daniels averaged 6,241 total yards and 77 TDs per season.

The recruiting rankings sandwiched Daniels between two familiar names: Bo Nix and Sam Howell.

He obtained a high four-star grade as a dual-threat QB recruit, fielding offers from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, LSU, and other top schools.

Despite the powerhouse offers, Arizona State’s recruiting coordinator made a big push to get Daniels. That coordinator is now Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach: Antonio Pierce.

Daniels Shines in First Year

Daniels won the starting job as a true freshman and held the job all season. Though there were scripted QB-run plays, the offense centered on his passing.

The highlight was pulling an upset over No. 6 Oregon. Daniels threw for 408 yards and 3 TDs while rushing for 62 more yards. He garnered national attention after the victory. 

Next Two Seasons Didn’t Follow Plan

The Sun Devils changed offensive coordinators before the shortened 2020 season, and the new system proved not to be a fit for Daniels’ skill set.

The team only played four games in 2020 and then entered 2021 under investigation by the NCAA for recruiting violations. 

All of this led to a disastrous season for Daniels and the Sun Devils. 

Despite starting all 13 games, Daniels threw only 10 TDs to go with 10 INTs. He would rely on his legs – rushing for 710 yards and 6 TDs – but looked like a shell of his old self. 

Daniels Hits Transfer Portal

Daniels wisely decided to transfer and found a home at LSU with HC Brian Kelly. 

The early returns were similar to 2021, with Daniels using his legs over his arm. As the season progressed, LSU opened up the offense and Daniels took command with his passing.

The highlight came in an upset of No. 5 Alabama. Daniels threw for 182 yards and 2 TDs while rushing for 95 yards and an additional score. 

Daniels continued to play well and headed into his fifth season with high expectations.

College Career Peaks with Heisman Season

After opening 2023 with a disappointing loss against Florida State, the LSU offense went crazy.

Daniels threw for multiple TDs in each of the next 11 games and ran for at least 99 yards against every ranked opponent after Week 1.

Of course, having two future first-round WRs in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. didn’t hurt.

Daniels won the Heisman after one of the best statistical seasons in college football history. 

• 4,956 all-purpose yards
• 50 total TDs
• 95.7 QBR
• 13.6 Adjusted Yards Per Pass Attempt (most in college football history)
• 8.40 yards per rush (more than any RB or QB)

Besides the insane statistics, Daniels’ film graded off the charts. 

He earned a Pro Football Focus grade of 94.7 for the season.

Daniels actually saw his PFF grade increase every single season of his career, starting with a 68.8 as a true freshman.            

Jayden Daniels Highlights

Games Watched: Florida (2022), Alabama (2022), Georgia (2022), Florida State (2023), Mississippi State (2023), Mississippi (2023), Missouri (2023), Alabama (2023), Florida (2023), Texas A&M (2023)

Watching Daniels’ highlight reel is an absolute dream for fantasy football players. His rushing prowess and deep passing show his potential to put up huge NFL statistics.

But, should you be hesitant to invest in a rush-first QB? Let’s take a look …

Daniels Dominates with His Legs

Being one of the best rushing QB prospects of the past 20 years makes Daniels very appealing as a fantasy asset. He shows the speed and athleticism to pick up big yardage chunks on the ground against top athletes.

Outside of pure athletic ability, Daniels’ knowledge of angles and rushing lanes exceeds even most NFL RB prospects.

In the clip below against Alabama, Daniels recognizes the hole while being pressured and takes off.

Daniels’ eyes are doing the work here as he keeps tabs on No. 32 to his right while assessing the second and third levels to his left. Daniels uses that information to take the best angle through the hole on the right and pick up an additional 25 yards.

Daniels’ rushing ability sells his upside to NFL teams. Whoever drafts him should instantly insert packages to allow Lamar Jackson-type runs.

Daniels Throws Elite Deep Ball

Daniels’ is the best deep passer in the class – even ahead of Caleb Williams. Having Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. helps, but Daniels knows how to use his feet and arm to launch passes 20+ yards.

In the clip below, Daniels takes the snap and steps up quickly to set up his arm. His quick arm motion allows the ball to launch 40 yards to the perfect spot for his WR to catch it easily.

Daniels’ pre-snap recognition is also on full display. He reads the safety and knows the X Curl creates a one-on-one matchup for Kyren Lacy in the end zone.

NFL-level processing before the snap creates the deep-ball matchups that Daniels thrives on.

Daniels Navigates Pocket to Run

Daniels stayed relatively clean in the pocket this season, but when pressured, he identified the rush and adjusted accordingly to run the football.

In the clip below, Daniels goes through his progressions with the WRs well covered. Eventually, the Texas A&M defense breaks through while Daniels keeps his eyes downfield. He steps up as the pocket collapses and finds rushing room.

Takes Too Many Sacks

When Daniels is steadfast on sitting back and throwing the football, he succumbs to the pressure too often.

Daniels' career pressure-to-sack rate is 24%, with no season below 20%. 

Daniels can evade pressure if he decides to scramble, but when trying to keep his eyes down the field, he takes too many sacks.

In the clip below, Daniels holds on to the ball too long and doesn’t roll out until it is too late.

Daniels Misses Easy Throws

Additional downside lies in his short, timing throws. Watching Daniels miss simple timing throws is just maddening. 

In this clip, Daniels reads the RB in the flat first. It is a quick play that should be an easy toss. 

Despite no pressure, Daniels doesn’t step into the throw and the ball ends behind the RB.

Whether the issue is the lack of an internal clock or not enough practice, missing these types of throws won’t fly in the NFL.

Jayden Daniels Team Fit: Washington Commanders

Daniels landed in the likely spot, and he is an ideal fit for the Commanders offense.

The fantasy community hates Kliff Kingsbury for his time in Arizona, but his scheme fits Daniels perfectly.

Kingsbury uses old Air Raid concepts to spread out the defense and give his QB options in the passing game while creating rushing lanes for the QB. It still utilizes plenty of play-action but thrives on pre-snap reads to limit QB progressions.

It is very similar to Mike Denbrock’s spread offense at LSU last season.

Daniels has a fine supporting cast:

• Terry McLaurin
• Jahan Dotson
• Luke McCaffrey
• Zach Ertz
• Ben Sinnott
• Austin Ekeler
• Brian Robinson

This should allow Daniels to have flexibility while he is in the pocket.