26 April 2024 , 01:17
1239
0
Bill Belichick has weighed in on the Washington Commanders' decision to snap up LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels as the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft, marking a bold move for the franchise.
The Commanders didn't hesitate to draft Daniels right after the Chicago Bears took Caleb Williams off the board first. Dressed to impress in a baby blue suit, his favourite colour, and sporting dark-tinted shades, Daniels is set to be the 13th starting quarterback for Washington since 2018.
Washington had their eyes on four quarterbacks for their draft board, but Daniels was sure he'd be the one getting the call. It meant the decision to pick Daniels was taken out of the hands of Belichick's former franchise, the New England Patriots, who took Drake Maye with the third pick.
"I was pretty confident," Daniels admitted. "I tried to play some games, but I was pretty confident."
"I'm here to get to work. Washington is going to get everything out of me. I'm a competitor, a hard worker, and I can't wait to meet my new teammates and try to win some football games."
New England Patriots warned Mac Jones is "limited" as quarterback fined again
Last season saw the Commanders end with a disappointing 4-13 record, continuing their playoff drought since 2020. On the offensive side, they managed to put up 329 points, averaging 19.4 points per game, which saw them ranked 25th across the league.
Defensively, they had a tough time too, letting in a hefty 531 points over the season. The Commanders managed to complete 407 passes out of 636 attempts, racking up 3,725 passing yards and 24 passing touchdowns. On the defensive side, they conceded 1,592 rushing yards and 4,627 passing yards.
Belichick, famed for guiding Tom Brady to six NFL Super Bowl triumphs, spoke highly of Daniels' potential, lauding his speed, scrambling skills, and ability to extend plays. However, Belichick stressed that Daniels needs to improve his pocket presence and address issues with his throwing mechanics, specifically his unconventional elbow motion.
Despite this, Belichick voiced his belief in Daniels' ability to develop into a formidable NFL player, something which suggests he may feel the Patriots have missed out.
"Good call," said Belichick. "I think this is similar to the Caleb Williams conversation. Jayden has a good opportunity to be an outstanding player.
"A lot of his throws come outside of the numbers, and he's very fast. He's an excellent runner and scrambler. I think he's going to have to learn to stay in the pocket and read coverages and throw the ball, but he's capable of doing that," he concluded.
Jayden Daniels in action for the LSU Tigers (Getty Images)Daniels' journey from Arizona State to LSU was a testament to his adaptability. He left a mark at both renowned programs, showcasing his skills over three seasons at Arizona State before making a pivotal move to LSU in 2022.
In his debut season with the Tigers, Daniels demonstrated his ability to lead the offense effectively, posting 2,913 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and 885 rushing yards with 11 rushing touchdowns. But, in his second year at LSU, Daniels truly shone, delivering a performance that solidified his status as a top collegiate quarterback.
His standout 2023 season saw Daniels demonstrate his versatility and accuracy on the field with a 72.2% completion rate. He completed 236 passes out of 327 attempts, earning an impressive 3,812 passing yards at an average of 11.7 yards per attempt.
Daniels proved to be a prolific scorer, throwing 40 touchdowns while only being intercepted four times, showcasing his efficiency and effectiveness in the passing game. Beyond his prowess as a passer, Daniels showcased his dynamic running abilities, rushing for 1,134 yards on 135 attempts and averaging an impressive 8.4 yards per carry.
Rob Gronkowski breaks silence on Tom Brady returning to New England Patriots