Scouting Report: Jayden Daniels (QB) - LSU
Sales Pitch: “Dynamic dual threat quarterback who was one of the most electric playmakers in college football during the 2023 season. Inconsistent pocket navigation and a slender frame are two major concerns with his ability to stick at the next level.”
Athletic Profile
Height: 6’ 3 5/8”
Weight: 205 lbs
Age: 22
Arm Length: N/A
Hand Size: N/A
40 Yard Dash: N/A
10 Yard Split: N/A
Vertical: N/A
Broad Jump: N/A
3-Cone: N/A
Short Shuttle: N/A
Relative Athletic Score: N/A
Statistics
Career: 66.3% - 12,749 YDS - 89 TD - 20 INT - 158.4 RTG - 3,307 RYDS
2023: 72.2% - 3,812 YDS - 40 TD - 4 INT - 208 RTG - 1,134 RYDS
Strengths
Elite athletic ability
Good vision and instincts as a ball carrier
Elite competitor who is willing to put his body on the line and steps up in the biggest moments
Long legged runner with plus burst and elite speed
Good deep ball accuracy and touch
Capable of making accurate throws to all three levels
Innate ability to escape pressure and create with legs and arm
Displays willingness to operate from the pocket and progress through full field reads
Reads defender leverage well and places the ball is safe locations
Good arm talent that shows velocity down the field and outside the hashes
Elite runner both in the scramble drill and on designed plays
Weaknesses
Inconsistent ability to key and diagnose coverages
Significant offense transition to the NFL
Year 5 breakout season at age 22
Thin frame with marginal play strength
Can be a tick late to work through his progressions and get the ball out on time
Pressure off the edge or up the middle causes him to drop his eyes
Struggles to climb and navigate muddy pockets as a thrower
Typically looks to run out of structure not pass
Needs to improve throwing with anticipation over the middle and into tight windows
Summary
Jayden Daniels broke onto the scene in 2023 as one of the most electric players in all of college football. The Heisman trophy winner is an elite athlete who is a threat to score any time he touches the ball. Daniels shows the ability to throw with accuracy to all levels of the field but his deep ball accuracy and touch is his best trait as a passer. A high level competitor he shows a willingness to put his body on the line as a runner and plays his best when the lights are brightest. Daniels weaponizes his athleticism on designed runs and as a passer out of structure when he has to extend plays by breaking the pocket. His thin lanky frame does raise concerns about his durability at the next level especially given his run heavy playstyle and aversion to sliding. Daniels is a solid pocket passer that is willing to work through full field reads but he can be a tick late as a processor and needs to work on throwing with anticipation over the middle. He also struggles to navigate muddy pockets, often dropping his eyes to run when he sees a flash of color or feels heat off the edge. Teams will also have question about his late breakout, a good not great player for a majority of his collegiate career, his best season game in his fifth year of starting at age 22. In a draft without a clear cut QB3 Daniels blend of athleticism, arm talent and improving skills in the pocket give him a legit shot to take that mantel.