2024 NFL Draft odds: Jayden Daniels' second pick odds shortening
As the 2024 NFL Draft draws closer, the Jayden Daniels hype continues to grow.
This week, the former LSU Tigers star and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner's odds to go No. 2 overall to the Washington Commanders have moved drastically.
As of Monday, Daniels' odds to go second sat at -120. He's now the heavy favorite to go second in the draft at -400, replacing Drake Maye in that spot. Maye's odds to be selected No. 2 now sit at +330.
Here's a look at his latest odds via DraftKings Sportsbook and insights from FOX Sports experts.
JAYDEN DANIELS DRAFT PICK NUMBER ODDS: *
To be No. 1 overall pick: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
To be No. 2 overall pick: -400 (bet $10 to win $12.50 total)
To be No. 3 overall pick: +350 (bet $10 to win $45 total)
TEAM TO DRAFT JAYDEN DANIELS ODDS: *
Washington Commanders: -400 (bet $10 to win $12.50 total)
New England Patriots: +350 (bet $10 to win $45 total)
Las Vegas Raiders: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)
Minnesota Vikings: +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total)
New York Giants: +1700 (bet $10 to win $180 total)
Chicago Bears: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Denver Broncos: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Tennessee Titans: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
* odds as of 4/23/24
This browser does not support the Video element.
According to Ben Fawkes, from last Friday evening to 10 a.m. ET Monday at Fanatics Sportsbook, there was more than 11 times more money on Daniels to go No. 2 than all other draft props.
Then there was this: While praising Daniels in an interview after his pro day at LSU last month, Tigers coach Brian Kelly said his former quarterback will get the ball out to the playmakers and make plays "for Washington."
Did Kelly accidentally tip the Commanders' hand, the team that owns the second pick?
Kelly kept things closer to the vest on an April 23 appearance on "The Herd" with Colin Cowherd, but still heaped praise on Daniels, saying that the concerns around Daniels' slender build and possible durability against NFL defenses were far outweighed by the positives he brings to the pros.
"If he was a poor decision-maker, if he was sloppy with the football, if he couldn't walk into an NFL locker room and lead the guys, then those are the things that lead you to not getting any sleep," Kelly said. "He can put on weight. Those are small concerns. He is a flat-out playmaker. He will change the look of your franchise, and that's why I think he's the best quarterback in the draft."
This browser does not support the Video element.
FOX Sports college football lead analyst Joel Klatt also moved Daniels to No. 2 overall in his final 2024 mock draft.
"I would personally draft Drake Maye — I think Maye has the higher upside — I just hear way too much in NFL circles about Jayden Daniels and how much these guys love Jayden Daniels," Klatt said. "Part of that is that he's a bit of a safer pick. He may not have the overall ceiling that Maye does, but he is a safer pick. I know that [new Commanders offensive coordinator] Kliff Kingsbury loves Jayden Daniels, and I think that Washington goes with Jayden Daniels."
However, FOX Sports betting analyst and "The Herd" co-host Jason McIntyre said in his latest mock draft that fans should take the 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. "Drake Maye's wheels are better than many know — he has six games of 70-plus rushing yards in the last two seasons — and he's going to make Washington dangerous quickly."
Follow along with FOX Sports for the latest news on the NFL and other sports.