NFL Draft 2024 Rumors: Jayden Daniels to Patriots 'Gained Steam' During Combine Week

The New England Patriots are reportedly emerging as a strong potential landing spot for LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels in the 2024 NFL draft.

According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, Daniels "gained steam" this week at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis as the favorite to go third overall to the Pats.

Along with USC's Caleb Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye, Daniels is considered to be one of the three elite quarterback prospects in the 2024 class.

Assuming the Chicago Bears take Williams first overall as expected and the Washington Commanders take either Daniels or Maye second overall, the Patriots will have the opportunity to take whoever is left.

The 23-year-old Daniels began his collegiate career at Arizona State before transferring to LSU prior to the 2022 season. After a solid 2022 campaign with the Tigers, Daniels exploded last season.

Daniels completed 72.2 percent of his passes for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and four interceptions, and he showcased his electric athleticism and dual-threat ability by also rushing for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns en route to winning the Heisman Trophy.

Aside from one year of Cam Newton in 2020, the Patriots have had almost exclusively pocket quarterbacks for decades, including Mac Jones, Tom Brady and Drew Bledsoe.

Daniels would bring a different dimension to the offense, and it makes sense to move in a different direction in the wake of head coach Bill Belichick parting ways with the organization this offseason after 24 years and six Super Bowl wins.

The Pats had their worst season under Belichick in 2023, going just 4-13, but a new era is upon them with Jerod Mayo being named head coach.

While the Patriots could opt to build up the rest of their roster and wait on adding a franchise quarterback, they may not have the chance to pick in the top three again in the near future.

Howe reported this week that there is a "strong sense" the Patriots are "leaning heavily" toward taking a quarterback with the third overall pick.

MassLive.com's Karen Guregian, Mark Daniels and Chris Mason echoed the sentiment and added that the Pats also plan on signing a veteran quarterback in free agency so a rookie won't necessarily have to start right away.

Daniels' raw ability is undeniable, but as is the case with most quarterbacks coming out of college, it is hard to say how well he will translate to the next level.

Sitting and learning behind a vet would perhaps better prepare Daniels to take the reins when the time is right.

Regardless of what direction the Patriots go in, there is no question that bringing in a new starting quarterback for 2024 is an absolute must.

Jones got benched in favor of Bailey Zappe last season after going just 2-9 and throwing 10 touchdown passes compared to 12 interceptions.

Whiffing on a player like Jones with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft would perhaps give some teams pause about going back to the well, but Daniels is a completely different type of quarterback, and it sounds as though the Pats like what he brings to the table.