Patriots set for ‘lengthy meeting’ with top quarterback ahead of pro day

On Monday morning, New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters the team is still working through the process of evaluating the top quarterbacks in the draft ahead of their third overall selection next month. That work continues this week with two big pro days - Jayden Daniels of LSU on Wednesday and then Drake Maye of UNC on Thursday.

Ahead of Daniels' workout, the team is expected to "have a lengthy meeting" with him, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. Among the staffers expected to be at Daniel's pro day based on previous reporting are Mayo, de facto general manager Eliot Wolf, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, and quarterbacks coach T.C. McCarthy. However, Howe didn't specify which members of that group would specifically be in the meeting Tuesday night.

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This will be the second time the Patriots meet with Daniels during the pre-draft process. They also spoke with him at the Combine. It also likely won't be the last meeting, with Mayo telling reporters on Monday the team plans on hosting Daniels - as well as other top quarterbacks - for a top-30 visit in Foxboro.

It's also not the first meeting of its kind the Patriots have had with a quarterback prospect. SI's Albert Breer reported on Monday the Patriots had a "lengthy meeting" with Michigan's J.J. McCarthy after his pro day on Friday. It'll also be worth watching for any reports of the Patriots having a similar meeting with Maye before or after his pro day on Thursday.

Daniels, along with Maye, has been one of the players most linked to the Patriots during the pre-draft process, as one of the top three quarterbacks in this class. Most experts have Daniels and Maye going second and third overall after Caleb Williams, the projected top pick of the Chicago Bears. The question is which quarterback will be left on the board after Washington selects second overall?

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The winner of the Heisman Trophy in 2023, Daniels broke out in his age-22 season. He led the Tigers to a 9-3 record, throwing for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns with only four interceptions, while rushing for another 1,134 yards and 10 more scores.

Daniels' biggest knocks relate to his durability. Some wonder how his frame will hold up at the NFL level. He's listed at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds but didn't get measured at the Combine. Those official numbers will instead come from his pro day. For a quarterback that runs a lot and has done a poor job of protecting himself in the open field, evaluators will be looking for him to bulk up as a pro.

For more on Daniels, you can check out our full prospect profile breakdown below...

After a breakout season in 2023, LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels is poised to be a top five pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He's a multi-faceted game-changer at the quarterback position, but his prospect makeup doesn't come without its questions.

College: LSU

Age: 23

Height: 6'4

Weight: 210

Awards: Heisman Trophy (2023), Walter Camp Award (2023), AP College Football Player of the Year (2023), Davey O'Brien Award (2023), Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (2023), Consensus All-American (2023), SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2023), All-SEC First Team (2023)

Daniels was a four-star recruit out of Cajon High School in California. He was the second-ranked quarterback (behind Spencer Rattler) and top-ranked dual threat quarterback in the Class of 2019, and committed to Arizona State.

In his first camp at Arizona State Daniels won the starting job, making him the first true freshman starting quarterback in program history. He finished as a runner-up for Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the year. He retained the starting job all three years he was with Arizona State.

In 2022 Daniels transferred to LSU, where his production dramatically increased despite facing tougher SEC defenses. After a promising 2022 season Daniels had a monster 2023 season, capturing the Heisman trophy.

For more player breakdowns, scouting reports, and all things 2024 NFL Draft, check out the 98.5 The Sports Hub Draft Hub page. 

-- Rapid growth the last two years shows an ability to quickly learn and improve his game

-- Best at throwing to some of the toughest parts of the field, deep and outside the numbers

-- Good throwing mechanics, quick release

-- Elite athlete, a true big play threat as a runner, but doesn't need to run to be effective

-- Can use his legs to extend a play and create with his arm, just as well as taking off and scrambling

-- Trusts his arm too much at times

-- Middle of the field accuracy is inconsistent

-- Will need to bulk up to take the kind of contact he'll deal with at the next level

-- Doesn't protect himself as a runner, takes too many unnecessary big hits, needs to slide and go out of bounds more

-- Older prospect (will turn 24 during his rookie year)

Ceiling: Lamar Jackson

Middle: Robert Griffin III

Floor: Tyrod Taylor

Daniels is an elite athlete at the quarterback position, but that's hardly his whole game. He's improved significantly as a passer his two years at LSU. He'll need to work on his short game, and durability will be a question due to his frame, but he has the big-play potential - both as a passer and runner - that NFL teams covet.

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.