ESPN analyst shares shocking Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams draft take

Former NFL player/executive and current ESPN analyst Louis Riddick is among the small minority who believe LSU's Jayden Daniels and not USC's Caleb Williams is, in Riddick's words, "the best quarterback" in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

"Last season, Daniels was first in the nation in Total QBR (95.6), first in QBR outside the pocket (98.8), first in QBR against zone coverage (98.3), first in QBR on play-action (93.8), first in QBR on deep balls (99.7) and second in QBR while under pressure (78.6)," Riddick said for a piece published on Monday. "He threw 40 touchdown passes, ran for 10 more scores and had only four interceptions." 

While fellow ESPN NFL analyst and former quarterback Dan Orlovsky has repeatedly insisted that Daniels and not Williams is the best quarterback in this year's draft class, every indication remains that the Chicago Bears will make Williams the draft's first pick. 

In fact, multiple in-the-know individuals have suggested that the Washington Commanders could select Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy instead of Daniels with the draft's second choice. It's unclear if the New England Patriots would use the third pick to land Daniels or North Carolina signal-caller Drake Maye if such a scenario played out. 

Last week, Ted Nguyen of The Athletic shared that "some of the top private quarterback coaches in the country" rated Williams' mechanics the highest among prospects in this year's class. 

"At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, he has just begun to grow into his frame," Riddick added about Daniels. "I see great decision-making, arm strength, touch and accuracy as a passer that will translate to the NFL. And on top of all that, Daniels is the kind of dual-threat runner who can change a game with his top-end speed and elusiveness once he breaks contain and gets into the open field. He is a student of the game, and I expect him to become a dynamic player in today's NFL." 

As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Williams as the overwhelming betting favorite at -10000 odds to be the draft's first pick. Daniels was listed as the favorite at -240 odds to be the second choice of the player-selection process.