Insider updates if Commanders could pass on drafting Jayden Daniels

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter raised eyebrows when, per Zach Bachar of Bleacher Report, Schefter reported ahead of the weekend that LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels has had "an interest in being" with a club other than the Washington Commanders. 

Schefter suggested in a piece published Monday morning that Washington still intends to make Daniels the second pick of the 2024 NFL Draft this Thursday night. 

"Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels knows he's entering the draft, not free agency, which is why he is ready to accept wherever he is selected and attempt to become the face of that franchise," Schefter explained. "While Daniels would have liked more face time with Commanders officials during his visit last week -- which included three of the other top quarterbacks in the class -- the signs continue to point to Washington taking him at No. 2." 

It seems a lock that the Chicago Bears will select USC star Caleb Williams with the draft's first pick, but multiple analysts and coaches have ranked Daniels as the best quarterback in this year's class. Some previously hinted that Washington could grab either North Carolina signal-caller Drake Maye or Michigan's J.J. McCarthy via pick No. 2, but Schefter noted on Monday that the Commanders "have been highly impressed with Daniels' abilities" throughout evaluations. 

"Washington still is going through its process, but Daniels is the favorite to be its pick," Schefter added.

Also on Monday morning, Commanders reporter Ben Standig of The Athletic predicted in a mock draft that Washington will select Daniels over both Maye and McCarthy. 

"The reasons for putting Daniels at No. 2 several weeks ago remain (unless last week’s local quarterback outing gave Washington a reason to look elsewhere)," Standig said. "The 2023 production — 40 touchdown passes, four interceptions, 3,812 passing yards and 1,134 rushing yards — demonstrated unbelievable improvement." 

Hours after Schefter and Standig shared their updates, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Daniels as the betting favorite at -160 odds to be the draft's second overall pick on Thursday. There's no sign the Commanders are selling that asset to any would-be buyers this week, so it sounds like Washington feels just fine about taking Daniels.