Jayden Daniels Opts Out of Measurements, Testing at 2024 NFL Combine; B/R's No. 3 QB
March 2, 2024
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels declined to get measured at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday after having already opted out of the workout portion.
He told reporters Friday that waiting until the Tigers' pro day could help to draw more attention to his teammates who will also be taking part:
Kyle Stackpole @kylefstackpoleJayden Daniels explains why he's decided to skip the on-field portion of the NFL Combine. He said he wants to go out at his Pro Day and reward his teammates, who have worked so hard, to get their opportunity to show out in front of NFL teams. <a href="https://t.co/gAlqBILN7m">pic.twitter.com/gAlqBILN7m</a>
Daniels is the No. 3 quarterback and 24th-best player on Bleacher Report's 2024 big board.
The Heisman Trophy winner didn't stand to gain much by fully participating in the combine. He has comfortably positioned himself as the third-best QB in the 2024 class, and there was probably little he could do in Indianapolis on its own to leapfrog USC's Caleb Williams or North Carolina's Drake Maye.
Daniels' 2023 production speaks for itself. He threw for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns with a 72.2 percent completion rate, and he also ran for 1,134 yards and 10 scores.
"Overall, Daniels has an exciting floor as a prospect. He is a veteran-like presence in the pocket, and he's far and away the best athlete in the class at the position," B/R NFL scout Derrik Klassen wrote in his scouting report. "Daniels' average arm talent and inconsistent accuracy may limit his ceiling, but it's hard to imagine him totally flaming out. Daniels would be best in an offense that leans into his rushing ability and vertical passing, similar to Kyler Murray or Jalen Hurts."
When it comes to evaluating Daniels, interested suitors will be a little more attentive at LSU's pro day since he was largely a spectator at the combine. But it's not as though the showcase wasn't already a date a lot of teams circled on their calendars leading up to the draft.
Tigers wide receiver Malik Nabers is No. 7 overall on B/R's big board, with fellow wideout Brian Thomas Jr. coming in at No. 21. Defensive linemen Maason Smith and Mekhi Wingo cracked the top 150 as well.