Vikings to Meet with Intriguing QB Prospect at the Combine
This week, the NFL Scouting Combine is set to take place.
At the event, more than 300 potential NFL Draft prospects will have a chance to meet with teams as well as showcase some of their talents through on-field drills and testing. One of those prospects is the intriguing QB Jayden Daniels, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2023 behind an outstanding showing with the Tigers this past season.
With the Vikings currently slated to watch Kirk Cousins hit the free agency market, many have expected them to select a quarterback this spring. This event is a great way to get to know some of the prospects, and the Vikings are taking the opportunity to meet with Daniels on Tuesday evening.
Vikings to Meet with Intriguing QB Prospect at the Combine
Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report and The Draft Network tweeted the news on Tuesday afternoon, writing, “Sources: LSU QB Jayden Daniels has formal meetings scheduled with the Giants, Vikings, Saints and Patriots this evening. Daniels will also meet formally with the Washington Commanders on Wednesday.”
Daniels, 23, is widely considered to be one of the top QB prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft, and if the Vikings are hoping to land him, they may need to trade into the top five in order to do so. The LSU QB offers a tantalizing combination of arm strength and athleticism, giving him the potential of an elite dual-threat QB.
Daniels came out of high school as a highly-touted prospect. He was considered four-star player and a top-50 recruit in the 2019 class, per 247 Sports, and committed to Arizona State where he played his first three collegiate seasons.
Following the 2021 season, though, Daniels made the decision to enter the transfer portal after Arizona State went just 18-12 with him as a starter and never truly gained the national spotlight with the program.
Daniels then landed at LSU for the 2022 season, and his collegiate career took off from there. The Tigers appeared in bowl games in each season he was there and finished in the top 25 College Football Playoff ranking at the end of each year. In 2023, Daniels totaled 3812 passing yards for 40 TDs and just four interceptions while also adding 1250 rushing yards (at a clip of 10.4 yards per carry) and an additional 10 rushing TDs in 12 games.
If LSU has needed a home run play over the past two years, Daniels has found a way to deliver. He completed 35 passes of 20+ yards this past season (55 attempts), which tied for fifth-most in the FBS. Meanwhile, he totaled 41 carries that went for 10+ yards, which tied for sixth in the entire FBS (yes, including running backs), per PFF.
Overall, it is unsurprising that the Vikings would meet with Daniels at the combine given their current need at the QB position along with the LSU product’s talent. If Minnesota has interest in him this April, they will certainly be met with competition from other QB-needy teams around the league.
The 2024 NFL Draft is set to begin on Thursday, April 25th.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via 247 Sports, Pro Football Focus and Sports Reference CFB.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.
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