ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. released his second mock draft on Wednesday. It is no surprise that Kiper still believes USC quarterback Caleb Williams is going to the Chicago Bears at No. 1 overall.
So does Kiper see Jayden Daniels (LSU) or Drake Maye (North Carolina) landing with the Washington Commanders at No. 2 overall?
In his first mock draft, Kiper had Daniels heading to Washington.
In the latest version, he sticks with that pick, but calls it close:
I’m sticking with Daniels here over Drake Maye (North Carolina), though it’s tight. Several NFL teams have Maye over Daniels on their boards two months out from the start of Round 1. I love Daniels’ fit with new Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who will run a wide-open offense and put his quarterback in the best position to succeed. Washington already has two really good (and young) wideouts in Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, so Daniels and Kingsbury would be able to start quickly.
Daniels made a massive leap during his time at LSU, developing into a top-tier passer and runner. I can’t wait to watch him at the next level.
This debate isn’t going away. As it becomes increasingly clear that the Bears will stay put and select Williams, it’s all about Maye or Daniels for Washington. Depending on what you watch or who you listen to, one is terrible, while the other is the best quarterback in this draft.
The truth is all three are elite prospects. Washington picked a good year to land a top-two pick. Kiper has Maye going No. 3 to New England and said that it many other drafts, Maye would be the No. 1 overall pick.
Free agency kicks off in two weeks as the Commanders look to begin rebuilding their roster around whichever rookie passer they choose.