The 2024 NFL Draft starts this evening (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN), and both fans and bettors will be watching intently with their rooting and betting interests in mind.
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USC quarterback Caleb Williams going first overall seems to be the biggest lock since Trevor Lawrence had -50000 odds to go No. 1 back in 2021. But what about the Commanders at No. 2? Is Jayden Daniels a sure thing to get selected second overall?
Let's discuss the possibilities at pick No. 2, go over the official NFL Draft odds on BetMGM, and explore the mock draft projections from the most heralded experts in the industry.
Who will Washington draft with the second overall pick?
The No. 2 pick has pretty much always been a toss-up between LSU QB Jayden Daniels and UNC QB Drake Maye. Maye opened as the favorite at -130 with Daniels at +140, but the odds flipped over the past few weeks with Daniels shortening to -155 and Maye shifting to +125. On the eve of the draft, however, he shot up to -500. As of the morning of draft day, Daniels has jumped to a commanding -1000 with Maye at +600.
Once a coin flip, it now seems like Daniels is a sure-fire lock.
The only other player shorter than +10000 to go second overall is Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy at +1100. Daniels at -1000 equates to an implied probability of 90.9 percent, so oddsmakers must feel pretty confident that the Heisman winner will be the second name called this evening.
MORE: Mock draft based on betting odds — projecting the top 10
Calls have reportedly been made by rival GMs interested in trading into Washington's spot, but Commanders GM Adam Peters has apparently rebuffed the inquiries. The biggest football need in the nation's capital is quarterback, as Sam Howell led the NFL with 21 interceptions last season while maintaining a 63.4-percent completion rate and a QB rating of 78.9.
Daniels seems like the pick, as he has been compared to two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and former Commander and Rookie of the Year Robert Griffin III. The LSU product has a great arm and tremendous athleticism, and his pocket command and football IQ make him a great cornerstone for a rebuilding offense.
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Commanders 2nd pick betting odds
All odds courtesy of BetMGM
| Player | Odds |
| Jayden Daniels, QB (LSU) | -10000 |
| Drake Maye, QB (UNC) | +600 |
| J.J. McCarthy, QB (Michigan) | +1100 |
| Marvin Harrison Jr., WR (Ohio St.) | +10000 |
| Caleb Williams, QB (USC) | +15000 |
| Michael Penix Jr., QB (Washington) | +15000 |
| Bo Nix, QB (Oregon) | +15000 |
| Malik Nabers, WR (LSU) | +15000 |
SCOUTING REPORTS: Caleb Williams | Jayden Daniels | Drake Maye
Commanders mock draft projection
Here's the expert consensus for who will get picked No. 2 in tonight's NFL Draft:
| Expert | Prediction |
| Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) | Jayden Daniels |
| Jacob Camenker (Sporting News) | Jayden Daniels |
| Mel Kiper (ESPN) | Jayden Daniels |
| Daniel Jeremiah (NFL Network) | Jayden Daniels |
| Dane Brugler (The Athletic) | Jayden Daniels |
For a closer look at consensus mock drafts for ever pick, check out our consensus NFL Mock Draft roundup.
That's a clean sweep! Based on the betting odds shifting so short and all five respected NFL Draft experts going with Daniels, we can't possibly bet against Washington going with the Heisman winner at No. 2 overall.
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