Jayden Daniels Rumors: Rivals Expect Commanders to Take LSU QB at 2 in 2024 NFL Draft

The eight teams picking below the Washington Commanders in the top ten of the 2024 NFL Draft expect the Commanders to take LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels at No. 2, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

"He's considered the overwhelming favorite for the pick, though it hasn't appeared to be the smoothest process," Fowler wrote.

"Regardless, Washington spent significant time scouting Daniels, and its actions suggest it has zeroed in pretty firmly. The Commanders do like Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, too, but that would be a pretty big upset pick."

The tension between Daniels and the Commanders reportedly involved the Commanders inviting four quarterbacks, and in total having "more than 20 players in its building," during a recent Top 30 visit by Daniels, Fowler reported.

Rumors that Daniels wasn't happy with the event started when Daniels' agent Ron Butler liked a pair of posts criticizing Washington for inviting multiple players.

"Commanders brass had significant one-on-one time with each player during their trips, but the event was not exclusive to any one player," Fowler wrote.

ESPN's Adam Schefter said Friday that he believed Daniels "thought it would be a visit with just him meeting with the Commanders."

However, Albert Breer reported Tuesday for Sports Illustrated that "any remaining issues between the Commanders and Jayden Daniels's camp had been smoothed over."

"I'm not finding many people with rival teams that don't think the Heisman winner is D.C.-bound," Breer added.

Breer and Fowler's reports represent a growing insider consensus that Daniels will be off the board at No. 2.

With the Chicago Bears' top pick of USC quarterback Caleb Williams considered a sure thing, all eyes will now turn to the New England Patriots. What de facto general manager Eliot Wolf decides to do with No. 3 will shape how the remaining top ten picks shake out.