Duke’s quarterback Daniel Jones has declared for the 2019 NFL Draft. That’s huge news in itself. Jones was probably going to declare regardless, but news of Oregon’s quarterback Justin Herbert deciding to stay in school for his senior year and the uncertainty of Dwayne Haskins of Ohio State’s decision, make Jones a hot commodity.
If Haskins declares for the draft, majority-thinking is Jones would fall somewhere between the second or third quarterback heading into the February’s Draft Combine behind Haskins and possibly Drew Lock of Missouri, depending on draft pundit.
That’s significant for the Washington Redskins. They’ll have the 15th overall pick in the first round of April’s draft with a possible need at quarterback. And already the team is being linked to Jones.
Alex Smith is most likely not going to be ready for the start of the 2019 season from his compound fracture in his leg. A post-operation infection that required multiple additional surgeries has slowed his rehab process and complicated matters even more. Then, there is Colt McCoy, who got two starts following Smith’s devastating injury. However, McCoy suffered a season-ending fractured fibula.
The Redskins need a long-term solution either way. Smith’s playing career is in jeopardy and McCoy hasn’t stood out at any point in his limited play to depend on him beyond a couple of relief starts.
The Redskins are being strangled with Smith’s guarantees in 2019 and 2020 that will hamper their ability to keep some of its core intact and chase a quarterback in free agency — unless it’s Blake Bortles or Ryan Tannehill. Drafting a quarterback provides a higher ceiling than any other options. It should have been the thinking the minute the team opted against signing Kirk Cousins at his asking price.
With Herbert out of the equation, every quarterback in the draft stock improves drastically. There are quite a few teams in dire need of a fresh option at quarterback. And with the crop of quality starting quarterbacks being limited in a lackluster draft, teams will reach for the big three or four.
The Oakland Raiders, who select fourth overall is the first team that doesn’t have their future quarterback. Jacksonville (7th), Denver (10th) and Miami (13th) also may take a look at drafting a quarterback in the first round.
And that does not include the New York Giants, who select sixth overall. But they have Eli Manning for at least one more season and with that ace in their deck of cards could wait until the more loaded 2020 draft for his eventual replacement.
That leaves Jones as a real possibility for the Redskins at No. 15. Washington seems to already understand the circumstances, as they sent scouts to Shreveport, Louisiana to see Jones in the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl against Temple.
In that game, Jones completed 30-of-41 passes for an Independence Bowl record 423 yards and five touchdowns (also an Independence Bowl record) against two interceptions — He also added a rushing touchdown to his impressive stat line.
Jones is currently the 41st-ranked overall prospect and third among quarterbacks by CBS Sports. ESPN’s draft guru Mel Kiper had Jones at a more generous, 25th overall and still third among QBs before Herbert decided to return to Oregon. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report has Jones even higher at 22nd overall and second (behind Haskins) among QBs. Miller also views Jones as the most NFL-ready QB in the draft.
Jones has a strong arm and is accurate enough inside and outside of the pocket. He has movement that allows him to get outside of the pocket. And his 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame is Carson Wentz-like.
He also had four years coaching (redshirted freshman year) with Duke head coach David Cutcliffe, the mentor of Peyton Manning when he was at Tennessee.
At Duke, Jones completed 59.9 percent of his passes for 8,201 yards and 52 touchdowns against 29 interceptions. This season he threw for 2,674 yards, 22 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while completing 60.5 percent of his passes in 11 games. A collarbone injury kept him out of one game.
He also displayed an ability to move his feet as a rusher and scrambler. He scored 17 rushing touchdowns in his career at Duke, seven in each of his first two seasons as a starter.
This season, his best three games were the Independence Bowl, against Pittsburgh, and North Carolina.
Against Pittsburgh he completed 27-of-43 passes for 396 yards and four touchdowns in a losing effort, 54-45. Pittsburgh went on to win the ACC Coastal Division over Duke and others. Jones completed 31-of-54 passes for 361 yards, three touchdowns and one interception against North Carolina. He also rushed for 186 yards and a touchdown in a 42-35 win.
There’s a long ways to go before the draft on Apr. 25. The draft boards of many teams can alter in a huge way. With no clear cut favorite for the top QB spot, Jones has an opportunity to improve his stock more and possibly rise out of the Redskins’ reach. For now, Jones is definitely a prospect of interest for Washington as they search for a suitable filler for their newfound void at quarterback.
