Following another summer in which the Falcons have more than their full allotment of draft picks and plenty of salary space to spend in free agency, they should be in a great position to select the best player available when the NFL Draft rolls around this year. However, there is one circumstance in which that strategy may fail: if they locate a quarterback they like during the evaluation process.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Jayden Daniels, quarterback, LSU.
If we judge decisions based on a prospect’s raw grades, Daniels — despite his video-game scores and Heisman Trophy — is a bit of a stretch here. Even so, he led all college quarterbacks in anticipated points added (EPA) per dropback and scrambles. His decision-making improved in 2023, and he moved through progressions much more effectively, even when he wasn’t throwing deep to Brian Thomas Jr. or Nabers.
I believe he needs a season to work out some issues, but it would be a good investment for Atlanta.
I’ve probably said it a million times before, and I’ll probably say it a million more times before the NFL Draft, but the ideal scenario for the Falcons this offseason would be to land one of the top three quarterbacks in this class — Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels — without having to move up at all.
The feasibility of this is a very different thing. I am confident that the top three picks in this year’s draft will be quarterbacks, leaving the Falcons with options such as JJ McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr, and Bo Nix. They probably shouldn’t be in play for the Falcons at eight, but Lee believes Daniels at eight is a bit of a stretch.
Daniels is coming off a tremendous season at LSU, much like Joe Burrow a few years ago, when he won the Heisman Trophy. He carried for over 1,000 yards on the ground and over 4,000 more in the air, with 40 touchdowns and only four interceptions.
Daniels’ athleticism and ability to make plays with his feet will inevitably bring parallels to Lamar Jackson. However, he is a far superior passer than Jackson was in college. Daniels has the finest deep ball in this year’s draft class and can attack the field vertically with pinpoint accuracy. It was on show all season at LSU, but maybe the most exciting aspect of his development as a prospect is his transition from junior to senior year.
Daniels was most likely considered as a Day 2 or 3 draft pick last year, but his progress as a passer in such a short period of time demonstrates his work ethic. He’s as physically gifted as any quarterback in the league, but his mastery of the mental side of the game should help him prosper at the next level. Perhaps Daniels does need a year to learn before being thrust into action at the next level, but there’s nothing wrong with that, especially for a team like the Falcons that can afford to take things slowly with him.
