Nick Saban believes teams will have to defend Jayden Daniels ‘like Lamar Jackson’

The Washington Commanders have a new franchise quarterback in town after selecting LSU’s Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick in Thursday’s NFL Draft.

Daniels, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, comes to Washington after spending the last two seasons playing against the best collegiate competition in the SEC. That would include against Alabama and former head coach Nick Saban, who had his hands full developing a gameplan to limit him during a matchup this past November.

Saban, speaking from experience, told Scott Van Pelt on ESPN that he believes NFL teams are gonna have to defend Daniels like they do Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson due to his dual threat capabilities.

Nick Saban gives scouting report for Jayden Daniels

“Well first of all, he played in a pro style type of offense [at LSU] and the offense was sort of built around him,” Saban said. “One thing that he does well that people maybe don’t give him enough credit for is he has improved dramatically as a passer in the last two years and probably since he was at Arizona State. So, this guy can throw the deep ball and if there’s anything he probably needs to do a little better — the game is gonna speed up on him a little bit [and] he’s gonna have to get the ball out a little quicker maybe at times.

“But the thing I like about him is he steps up in the pocket. So many of these college quarterbacks drift. They drift into the rush, so they create more problems for themselves. He steps up in the pocket and if it’s open, he’s taking off. You’re going to have to defend this guy like Lamar Jackson because he is fast. Now, the only thing about that is he’s gonna have to work on his size and strength a little bit so he has the durability to play that way.

“But when this guy takes off, he can actually outrun angles on defense like nobody’s business. So, this guy is Randall Cunningham type of runner, but a really good passer. Don’t underestimate this guy as a passer. He’s accurate, he can throw the long ball. I think he’s got a good feel for the passing game, [and] he gets the ball in the right place at the right time.

Jayden Daniels ready to get to work in Washington

Daniels, 23, played three seasons at Arizona State before transferring to LSU to play under head coach Brian Kelly. Daniels took his game to another level in Baton Rouge, throwing for 6,725 yards, 57 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 70.2% passing across two seasons. He added 2,019 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground.

Daniels is ready to get to work in Washington after seeing his “childhood dream” come true.

“That my childhood dream came true, and I’m blessed to be here and be able to hear my name called. I can’t wait to get to work, you know, just be able to spend that time with family,” Daniels told the Washington media. “Two of my closest friends in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas and share this special moment with them too.”