Jayden Daniels Talks Meetings with Patriots, Raiders, Giants, More at NFL Combine

Projected to be a top-three pick in the 2024 NFL draft by most analysts, LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels has been making the rounds with the clubs at the scouting combine this week.

Daniels told reporters on Friday he had a good meeting with the New England Patriots. He also spoke highly of his talks with the Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, New York Giants and Washington Commanders.

Even though the race to be the No. 1 pick in the draft is usually very competitive, Daniels admitted being the first overall selection "doesn't mean a whole ton to me."

Daniels isn't necessarily a wild card in this class, but he's got a chance to solidify himself as the No. 2 quarterback by the time the draft begins.

It won't happen this weekend because Daniels, along with top quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, won't be taking part in any drills at the combine. He will throw in front of scouts at LSU's pro day which is scheduled for March 27.

B/R's NFL scouting department ranked Daniels as the No. 3 quarterback and 24th-best prospect overall coming out of the Senior Bowl. Maye and Williams are the top two quarterbacks on the list and both rank among the top-five players on the big board.

In a post-Super Bowl mock draft, B/R projected Daniels to go No. 3 overall to the Patriots. Karen Guregian of MassLive.com noted New England's brain trust arrived at the scouting combine this week "with a plan in place to address their quarterback situation and are ready to make multiple moves in the coming months."

The three-step plan involves drafting a quarterback with the third pick, signing a veteran Patriots coaches believe is capable of starting if they don't feel the rookie is ready and moving on from Mac Jones.

New England obviously won't say which quarterback it will draft, in part because it has to wait and see who the Chicago Bears and Commanders will take with the top two picks.

The Patriots could attempt to move up to avoid taking the third quarterback, assuming players at that position go with the top two picks, but they might also be extremely comfortable with all three of Daniels, Williams and Maye.

Of course, the Raiders also have a need at quarterback and might attempt to move up. They would have a steeper climb to make if they want to trade from the No. 13 spot for a player like Daniels.