Jayden Daniels is setting the record straight ahead of Thursday night’s NFL Draft, where the Washington Commanders hold the No. 2 overall pick.
Despite rumors suggesting Daniels is reluctant to play for the Commanders, he dispelled these speculations while speaking to reporters at a Special Olympics event on Wednesday.
Daniels expressed his eagerness to be drafted as high as possible, even welcoming the possibility of joining Washington. “Yeah, 100 percent,” Daniels affirmed when asked about being drafted by the Commanders. “I’m blessed to go wherever I’m called. Whoever calls my phone, (when the) commissioner gets up and says my name, I’ll be blessed, and they’re going to get my all.”
RELATED: Jayden Daniels Reacts to Viral Photo Of His ‘Very Strange Looking’ Elbow
There has been some speculation that Daniels would prefer to join a specific AFC team, though the likelihood of that happening is slim. Even if Washington isn’t his first choice, Daniels recognizes the wisdom in not attempting to manipulate his draft outcome in the manner of Eli Manning, who orchestrated a trade from the San Diego Chargers to the New York Giants in 2004.
Daniels understands that trying to force a move could risk him sliding down the draft board—a scenario he wants to avoid. As a promising but not guaranteed superstar prospect, Daniels is focused on making the most of whichever opportunity comes his way.