Will Drake Maye Be Drafted Before Jayden Daniels? 2024 NFL Draft Outlook

One mock draft projects the Washington Commanders to select UNC quarterback Drake Maye. Another mock draft has the team opting for the dual threat out of LSU, Jayden Daniels. The real wild ones throw a spanner in the works and mock Marvin Harrison Jr. in the top three.

We can't say for sure what Washington is planning to do in April. There are rumors about the team trading down and finding another solution at quarterback, whether it's J.J. McCarthy, running it back with Sam Howell, or bringing in a veteran like Russell Wilson or Kirk Cousins.

As Caleb Williams cements his spot as the first overall pick, will Maye or Daniels emerge as the second selection?

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The Case For And Against Drake Maye

A decade ago, Drake Maye would have had general managers salivating (not to say that they aren’t now). Maye can make every throw, has a cannon of an arm, and is the size of a prototypical quarterback. He’s even quick on his feet, both in and out of the pocket.

Maye’s problems lie in inconsistencies. Knowing the strength of his throwing arm, he forces passes into tight windows, resulting in interceptions. He logged 16 picks in his time starting at North Carolina.

Drake Maye's interception pic.twitter.com/KXxaOxw8HV

— Ian Valentino (@NFLDraftStudy) September 16, 2023

Commanders fans may experience deja vu if Maye is the selection, given that Howell led the league in interceptions last season. But Maye also has a higher ceiling than his former UNC counterpart if he learns to limit his mistakes and fix the mechanics in his throwing motion.

The Case For And Against Jayden Daniels

How do defenses stop Lamar Jackson? How did defenses stop Michael Vick? That’s how general managers view Jayden Daniels. Good luck slowing down a quarterback who has command of the pocket but can also gallop past linebackers.

Daniels is a late bloomer, however. He earned the Heisman trophy in his super senior season at LSU, throwing for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns while adding 1,134 yards and another 10 scores on the ground. His rushing production wasn’t ever an issue, but he didn’t break 3,000 passing yards any college season prior.

Daniels also possesses a slender frame and we’ve seen what happens to fragile quarterbacks (or any position for that matter) in the NFL. Daniels, in particular, hasn’t saved his body when scrambling.

LSU QB Jayden Daniels took a big hit here after he jumped vs FSUpic.twitter.com/6aHKHEBsl7

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 4, 2023

Will Drake Maye Be Drafted Before Jayden Daniels?

Maye is the betting favorite as of this writing to be selected second overall, whether by the Commanders or via trade. He and Daniels are co-favorites to be the third pick by the Patriots.

Daniels appears to be the safer of the two signal-callers. He’s precise with his passing and brings a rushing element that Maye doesn’t have. Maye, on the other hand, has boom-or-bust potential and can be one of the best quarterbacks in the league several years from now. Unlike the Zach Wilson/Trey Lance NFL Draft when quarterbacks went 1-2-3, if history repeats itself, these three quarterbacks have a much higher chance of success.

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