NFL Exec: Jayden Daniels a Better Thrower Than Lamar Jackson Was...and It's Not Close

Jayden Daniels' mobility helped propel him into the top-five pick discussion, but it's his polish as a passer that has won over some NFL executives.

One NFC exec told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that Daniels is a better passer than Lamar Jackson was coming out of college.

"He played 190 to 200 [pounds] his whole career and he takes shots," the exec said. "This year, he showed more play from the pocket, which helps him a ton. Better thrower than Lamar [Jackson] was coming out and it's not close. He can do the read-option and the mobility stuff. The question is, when those easy 20-yard runs aren't there in the NFL, is he willing to take the easy 8-yard gain from the pocket and avoid taking hits? He's got to protect himself better. I think he will."

Daniels threw for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns against four interceptions while adding 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. His 95.6 QBR was the best in college football, leading him to run away with the Heisman Trophy.

Daniels completed at least 65 percent of his passes in his last three collegiate seasons, including a 72.2 percent success rate in 2023. By contrast, Jackson never completed more than 59.1 percent of his passes at Louisville. His marked improvement as a passer did not come until his second NFL season, when the Ravens were able to begin scheming to his skill set.

To be fair to Jackson, it's a lot easier to look polished when you have Daniels' LSU supporting cast than the one Jackson had at Louisville. LSU receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. are set to be taken in the first round; Jackson never played with a wideout at Louisville who had any notable success at the NFL level.

The Ravens were able to wait until the last pick in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft to select Jackson in large part due to concern of his ability as a passer. NFL teams won't get the same comfort this year in Daniels, who is currently the favorite to be taken No. 2 overall by the Washington Commanders.