Commanders GM addresses Jayden Daniels selection

In a chunk detailing the Commanders’ analysis of Daniels, which might be particularly related to Washington followers, John Keim of ESPN.com notes that Peters did certainly have a excessive grade on McCarthy because of the previous Wolverine’s effectivity, sturdy arm, and mobility. 

McCarthy finally slotted proper behind Daniels on the Commanders’ listing of QB choices and forward of Maye and Michael Penix Jr., whom the group additionally scouted closely.

In 2023, Peters was with the 49ers, a membership that was not available in the market for a first-round passer. So he didn’t start evaluating the 2024 draft class of blue chip signal-callers earlier than he took the Washington job, however as soon as he lastly acquired to evaluate Daniels’ movie, he grew to become “smitten” with the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.

“The way he can process, the way he can see the field, the way he goes through his reads, the way he delivers [the ball] on time,” Peters stated. “He’s the best deep-ball thrower in the draft, and that’s even before we start watching him run and the way he runs he just takes your soul as a defense. You think you got him and then all of a sudden, he rips off a 40-yard run. And this is against the SEC, the best of the best.”

Prior to the interview that group brass carried out with Daniels on the scouting mix in February, Peters advised a gaggle together with proprietor Josh Harris, head coach Dan Quinn, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and entrance workplace marketing consultant Bob Myers that “something has to happen [for the pick] to not be Jayden.” 

As the predraft course of went on, Peters’ conviction solely acquired stronger as he realized that Daniels’ work ethic and character matched the standard of his sport tape. As Keim particulars, Daniels had the passcode modified at an LSU facility so he might put in additional work when the power would have in any other case been locked, and he additionally organized for five a.m. exercises together with his receivers, a feat that one group supply stated was significantly spectacular to Peters.

Peters additionally obtained glowing opinions on Daniels from revered voices again in San Francisco, together with Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan and large receiver Brandon Aiyuk, one in every of Daniels’ shut associates. Peters stated that he by no means thought of buying and selling again within the draft and taking the Commanders out of the working for Daniels, and apparently rival golf equipment knew he was entrenched in his place. 

The GM stated that he obtained just one supply for the No. 2 decide — presumably from the Raiders, who had been recognized to covet Daniels — however that proposal “didn’t move the needle.”

It just isn’t but a certain factor that Daniels might be Washington’s beginning quarterback on Week 1 of the 2024 marketing campaign, with free agent acquisition Marcus Mariota out there to function a bridge to the Daniels period if needed. Sooner or later, although, Daniels will take the reins, and Peters is delighted by his membership’s luck.