2024 NFL Draft odds: Jayden Daniels odds on move; where will QB land?

As the 2024 NFL Draft draws closer, the Jayden Daniels hype continues to grow.

The latest buzz on several fronts has the former LSU Tigers star and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner as a sure-fire top three prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. But can he possibly vault over Caleb Williams or Drake Maye, respectively, for a top-two spot?

Despite the recent chatter, Daniels is still a very long shot to be the No. 1 overall pick. He currently sits at +3000 to be the first player drafted, while Williams’ odds shortened dramatically after the Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields and met with Williams both at his late March pro day and in Chicago earlier this week. The former USC star quarterback is listed at -8000 to be the top pick.

But Daniels’s odds of getting drafted second by the Washington Commanders have continued to move in light of multiple recent reports — and a possible slip-up from Brian Kelly, Daniels’ coach at LSU. 

While praising Daniels in an interview after Daniels’ pro day at LSU last month, Kelly said his former quarterback will get the ball out to the playmakers and make plays for Washington.”

Did Kelly just accidentally tip the Commanders’ hand? FOX Sports’ Bruce Feldman has Daniels going to the Commanders in his latest mock draft. Additionally, a recent report from ESPN claims “the signs are pointing to” Daniels indeed joining new head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury in Washington with the second overall pick.

The quarterback has gained some steam to be the next player drafted in the likely event Williams goes at No. 1. Daniels is listed at FanDuel Sportsbook as the favorite at -140 to be the No. 2 overall pick, leading Maye (+130) and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy (+800) on that board.

Meanwhile, a FanDuel prop bet to correctly predict the top three NFL Draft picks in order has a Williams-Daniels-Maye sequence with the shortest odds, at just +120. Maye is also now the favorite to be picked at No. 3 overall, currently held by the New England Patriots.

Daniels’ odds have moved similarly on DraftKings Sportsbook. Here’s a look at his latest odds there, along with insights from FOX Sports analysts Jason McIntyre and Geoff Schwartz.

JAYDEN DANIELS DRAFT PICK NUMBER ODDS*

To be No. 1 overall pick: +1400 (bet $10 to win $140 total)
To be No. 2 overall pick: -150 (bet $10 to win $16.67 total)
To be No. 3 overall pick: +150 (bet $10 to win $25 total)

TEAM TO DRAFT JAYDEN DANIELS ODDS*

Washington Commanders: -150 (bet $10 to win $16.67 total)
New England Patriots: +150 (bet $10 to win $25 total)
Minnesota Vikings: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
Las Vegas Raiders: +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total)
Chicago Bears: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
New York Giants: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
Denver Broncos: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Tennessee Titans: ++3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)

* Odds as of 3/1/2024

However, FOX Sports betting analyst and co-host of FS1’s “The Herd” Jason McIntyre said in his latest mock draft that fans should take the recent Daniels hype with a big grain of salt.

“Don’t fall for the ‘Jayden Daniels is a better fit for Kliff Kingsbury’s offense’ takes,” McIntyre wrote. “Maye’s wheels are better than many know — he has six games of 70+ rushing yards in the last two seasons — and he’s going to make Washington dangerous quickly.”

FOX Sports college football lead analyst Joel Klatt also kept Maye above Daniels in his latest mock draft.

“Outside of Williams, Maye has the highest potential in the draft, and I don’t have any questions about that,” Klatt said. Maye’s a bona fide No. 1 pick in almost every other year.”

FOX Sports Betting Analyst Geoff Schwartz had this to say about Daniels when it comes to the betting odds:

“I love draft season.

Everything about the prospects will be discussed and evaluated in a months-long discussion about who should go where. I enjoy navigating the rumors and seeing how multiple experts can watch the same film and reach vastly different conclusions about a player. 

And now with the proliferation of sports wagering in a majority of the states, sportsbooks are offering a larger variety of draft related wagers. We can put action on rumors, feelings about players and consensus around draft prospects.

Recently, the rumor mill has shifted to a more favorable opinion about LSU’s Jayden Daniels perhaps becoming the first pick in the NFL.

Let me be clear: I do not believe Daniels is going first. I’d take USC’s Caleb Williams first overall, and I don’t think the Bears are considering anyone but Williams right now. 

But that being said, I do believe putting a small sprinkle on Jayden Daniels to go first overall has some value because this number is only going to come down as we get closer to draft night. 

Rumors will continue to swirl about Daniels going first overall, partly from the boredom of continuing to discuss Williams to Chicago but also because people will get spooked the more they watch Williams’ film (lack of rhythm throws, hero ball). There is also the possibility a team makes a trade to move up soon, which would also shift the No. 1 pick betting board.

That said, I would bet on Daniels to be the second overall pick, especially at plus money.

Daniels fits the physical profile of what Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has worked with in the past, and he would compliment the offense more than Drake Maye. 

We are also seeing a movement where people are starting to discount Maye’s film, as they dig deeper into his play. So Daniels at +105 to go second overall is a solid overall wager.“

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