The latest ESPN Mel Kiper Jr. 2024 NFL Draft big board has Jayden Daniels moving up

Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy this past season, but initial NFL mock drafts had the LSU QB not going as high as, say, Caleb Williams.

Now? It feels like he’s almost a lock for top-three, even with that weird elbow photo.

In our latest NFL mock draft from Christian D’Andrea, he’s got Daniels going to the Washington Commanders at No. 2 overall. And that fits exactly with the new NFL Draft big board from ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., who has Daniels moved up from No. 3 prospect to No. 2, right behind Williams.

Here’s his take on why he’s moved him up:

I went deep on Daniels’ future ahead of him taking home the Heisman Trophy. In short, he was consistent enough over the final two months of the regular season that I now feel comfortable moving him into my Big Board. I have a first-round grade on him, and he could go as high as No. 2. Over two seasons at LSU — after he transferred from Arizona State — Daniels threw 57 touchdown passes with just seven interceptions and added 21 rushing scores. He ranked No. 1 in the country in Total QBR last season (95.6), completing 72.2% of his passes while averaging 11.7 yards per attempt. Those are spectacular numbers.

Daniels has rare ability as a dual-threat playmaker. He can evade, elude and blow by defenders, but he also impressed with the way he can run through contact. But it’s his improvement as a passer that has him looking like a Round 1 selection. Yes, having blue chip wideouts Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. to throw to was a huge benefit, but they also were fortunate to have a passer like Daniels with a big-time skill set directing the offense.

Fascinating! Make sure to check out the latest NFL mock draft from Christian D’Andrea and also the official NFL draft order for the first round.