ESPN’s Louis Riddick has been high on Jayden Daniels throughout the draft process, and he’s ready to say he would take LSU’s Heisman Trophy winner over Caleb Williams.

Previously, Riddick had said he saw the quarterback picture for this year’s draft as “one and one” between Daniels and Williams. Now, Riddick is making the case that Daniels would be his top pick instead of Williams.

During Wednesday’s broadcast of “First Take,” Riddick hammered on Daniels’ elite dual-threat ability and a calmness to the QB’s game. He also compared Daniels’ work as a passer during the 2023 season to what Riddick previously saw out of CJ Stroud at Ohio State.

“The structure with which he plays, the calmness with which he plays. The way he combines finesse with arm strength, it’s just like — damn! He made some throws this year that I remember last year watching CJ Stroud going ‘That’s it.’ But he’s also showing the off-structure stuff that maybe CJ Stroud didn’t show,” Riddick explained.

Riddick did admit there’s an aspect to Williams’ game that could be refined to an elite level, but he sees Daniels as the player best suited to hit the ground running as a rookie QB:

“Caleb maybe that guy who truly gets talked about like Patrick (Mahomes) if he’s able to refine a bunch of things,” said Riddick. “Jayden’s that guy who’s kind of like CJ who’s going to come into the NFL right away, and it’s out the gate and you’re like ‘Why were we even having the discussion?’ That’s why I would take him No. 1.”

Where will Daniels wind up?

While Riddick might take Daniels No. 1 overall, ESPN Bet still gives Williams the overwhelming odds to be the top pick in the draft. Drake Maye also leads the odds to be the No. 2 pick, so it’s possible the New England Patriots remain the likely landing spot for Daniels.

Tiger fans can track Daniels’ full NFL Draft odds and line movement via SDS’s Louisiana online sports betting links.

Ultimately, avoiding the Chicago Bears could be better for Daniels in the long run. It’s no secret the organization has struggled to develop quarterbacks, and the Bears need a lot of help outside of the QB position.

Wherever Daniels does wind up, Riddick is at least convinced he’s in store to be an immediate contributor in the NFL.