Raiders-Jayden Daniels: Where does it stand?

Does Las Vegas really have a chance to reunite quarterback with Antonio Pierce?

If and until Jayden Daniels’ name is written on another team’s draft card, there will be rampant speculation that he will end up with the Las Vegas Raiders.

We all know the background: Daniels was recruited to Arizona State by now Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce. Daniels, who won the Heisman Trophy as the quarterback at LSU last season, remains close with Pierce and the Raiders closely studied Daniels during this draft process.

Plus, the Raiders are a strong candidate to select a quarterback early in the draft.

So, if the Washington Commanders select either North Carolina’s Drake Maye or Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy at No. 2, expect the Raiders-Daniels speculation to boil over.

With the draft in two days, this is the latest smoke surrounding Daniels’ future:

• Daniels remains the betting favorite (including at DraftKings Sportsbook) to go Washington at No. 2. But odds for Maye and McCarthy being the pick have improved amid rumors some in Daniels’ camp wasn’t excited that the Commanders had all the top quarterback prospects visit together recently instead of individually like the other teams did. At the end of the day, if the Commanders don’t take Daniels it’s doubtful a franchise-altering decision would be based off of a trip to Topgolf. And no, the Commanders aren’t interested in dealing the pick, even if the Raiders tried.

• The New England Patriots may be a huge pivot point to this draft at No. 3. The Patriots are said to be open to taking a quarterback but are also open to trade the pick. But it won’t be cheap. In fact, ESPN reported this week, it would take an “unprecedented” cost to pry the pick away from the Patriots. That could mean three first-round picks plus. Reportedly, the though, the Patriots feel like all the current trade offers are “laughable” at this point. So, we shall see where this goes.

• Monday, Raiders general manager Tom Telesco said everything is on the table. including a big trade up if the Raiders feel they have to be aggressive. That seems to suggest if someone like Daniels was a available at a point where the Raiders feel comfortable making a trade, they are willing to do it.

• Meanwhile, Daniels recently said he will be happy to go anywhere, but if the Raiders would somehow be able to get in position to take him. He knows Pierce will challenge him at the next level.

Conclusion:

The smoke is thick. It will clear soon enough. All is on the table and it’s maddening, but it’s all part of the draft deal.