Brian Kelly truly believes Jayden Daniels is the best quarterback prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft after witnessing his wizardry at LSU.

During the 2022 season, Daniels was good but not great while completing 68% of his passes for over 2,900 passing yards and 28 total touchdowns. In his final season, the star quarterback took things to new heights as an efficient and electric playmaker, rolling to the Heisman with 50 total touchdowns and a 72% completion percentage.

Now, one of the biggest questions about Daniels’ game is related to his slight frame, something Kelly was asked about recently. The head coach said he’s not worried about those “small concerns” with Daniels looking like a flat-out playmaker.

“If he was a poor decision-maker, if he was sloppy with the football, if he couldn’t walk into an NFL locker room and lead the guys, then those are the things that leave you not getting any sleep. He can put on weight,” said Kelly. “Those are small concerns, he is a flat-out playmaker. He’ll change the look of your franchise, and that’s why I believe he’s the best QB in the draft.”

As for Daniels’ mentality, Kelly said the QB is the same every week with an ability to bounce back quickly:

“In his first year where he struggled at times, he was the same guy each and every week. This is a guy who can handle the ups and downs of it,” Kelly praised.

What sportsbooks are saying about Daniels

Kelly’s assessment of Daniels is not surprising, especially after Daniels’ performance at LSU. And it’s worth pointing out Daniels just might be the best QB available, but that doesn’t mean he will be the top pick Thursday night.

At ESPN Bet, Caleb Williams is an eye-popping -20,000 to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Chicago Bears. However, Daniels does lead the odds to be the No. 2 pick in the draft at -500, squarely surpassing UNC’s Drake Maye who checks in at +375.

Barring an unexpected trade, that would put Daniels with the Washington Commanders to begin his NFL career. After that, fans can track the odds for Daniels to become the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year with SDS’s Louisiana sportsbook app.