The odds of the Las Vegas Raiders having a top-five draft pick are extremely slim, unless there is a major shift in the draft order before the season ends. With their present ranking of No. 11, the club is unable to select either Drake Maye or Caleb Williams of USC.
This implies that the Raiders will need to consider the second wave of candidates if they are in the market for a quarterback. According to Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Jayden Daniels, the quarterback for LSU, might be selected at number eleven.
In a mock draft published on December 1, Hill stated, “It’s time for the Raiders to use a high draft pick on a quarterback, and Daniels is the kind of player who should get fans excited about the future.” “With 3,812 yards passing, 40 touchdowns, four interceptions, and an additional 1,134 yards and ten scores on the ground, his talent has been evidently demonstrated.” If LSU had advanced to the Southeastern Conference championship game, he most likely would have won the Heisman Trophy with ease. While Daniels adjusts, Aidan O’Connell has demonstrated that he might be a good backup and even maintain the starting position. While they rebuild over the next few years, the Raiders might have a strong tandem.
Jayden Daniels is having an incredible season.
This year, one of the quarterbacks with the biggest climbs is Jayden Daniels. The highest passing efficiency rating in NCAA history is 208.0. It surpasses even Joe Burrow’s 202.0 ranking from LSU in 2019, the year before he was selected as the first choice.
Daniels is not only developing into a superb passer, but he also poses a serious threat in the run game. This season, he has gained 1,134 yards through rushes along with 10 touchdowns. He’s the precise kind of athlete teams are searching for as the NFL begins to produce more mobile quarterbacks.
Jayden Daniels Has Ties to Antonio Pierce
There’s a reason why Daniels isn’t being discussed as the first choice right now. He’s not a prospect not to be missed. His arm isn’t the longest, and his mechanics aren’t always precise. He is also frequently struck. For him to become an NFL quarterback, he will require some work. But as he improves as a passer, his natural athleticism makes him a valuable player. Lamar Jackson wasn’t a particularly good passer when he first entered the NFL, but he has made significant progress and is now just as deadly when throwing as when running.
LSU QB Jayden Daniels has rushed (1,014) for more yards than:
—Michigan RB Blake Corum (888)
—Georgia RB Daijun Edwards (726)
—Oregon RB Bucky Irving (1,006)
—FSU RB Trey Benson (743)
—Alabama RB Jase McClellan (737)
— RJ Young (@RJ_Young) November 20, 2023
Watch out for Jayden Daniels if the Raiders elect to elevate temporary head coach Antonio Pierce to a permanent position. From 2019 to 2021, Pierce served as Arizona State’s coach while Daniels remained there.
Pierce was active in recruiting while serving as the defensive team’s coach, so he should be well-versed in Daniels’ style of play. The coach will benefit greatly from his familiarity with the inexperienced quarterback.
However, Daniels might still be on the Raiders’ radar even if they choose not to keep Pierce as head coach. Daniels has significantly greater potential as quarterback than Aidan O’Connell, who is probably not the long-term solution.
Since 2019, Austin Boyd has covered the Los Angeles Lakers and Las Vegas Raiders for Heavy.com. His work at Heavy features interviews with NFL legends Joe Montana and Darren Waller as well as an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at “The Shop.” Originally from Los Angeles, he is currently located in Las Vegas. Additional details regarding Austin Boyd
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