There’s One Big Question With QB Jalon Daniels

I have been impressed with Kansas quarterback (QB) Jalon Daniels in the eight games I evaluated him in during the 2022 season and in the two games I studied him in 2023.

It was only two games because he only played in three and missed the rest of this season with a back injury. That after missing four games with a shoulder injury in 2022.

The back injury sounded serious according to KUSports.com, “Daniels told Joely Live that leading up to the Texas game, he was feeling the best he had felt all season, but in the lead-up he told the trainers, “Something’s not right. Something’s not right at all.”

“After I warmed up, I went inside the locker room and just fell,” he said. “And couldn’t feel any — all I felt was pain. It felt like something was stabbing me, felt like something was going down my entire leg … That’s probably the worst pain that I’ve ever been in my entire life.”

He repeated the leg-related description several times in the interview, noting that at times he struggled to get out of bed or get into his car, and that his roommates would hear him “screaming” when his “leg would actually lock up.”

Fast Processing

The thing that jumped out at me watching Daniels last season on game film was his fast movements in the pocket and his ability to get the ball out of his hand quickly.

That’s a premium in the NFL.

One of the television announcers said during the Nevada game, “Kansas likes to be uptempo and play fast.”

That’s Daniels.

Short-to-intermediate range passer

This QB prospect is good in the 0 to 19-yard range.

He spreads the ball around, has good arm strength, and throws with enough anticipation to fit it into tight throwing windows at the intermediate route levels (11-19 yards).

NFL projection

I have and continue to see Daniels (2023: 74.7% completion percentage) as an ideal backup at the next level. He lacks that explosive play element to be thought of as a franchise prospect based on what he’s shown so far, but the combination of his traits makes him a strong candidate to be second-string, provided he can keep from being injured and he gets a clean bill of health pre-draft.

He would be a great fit with a team like the San Francisco 49ers to backup QB Brock Purdy.

Daniels reminds me of former NFL QB Rodney Peete ⎯a backup/borderline starter type who played in the league for 15 years. Peete started 10+ games five times in his career for three different teams. These two are ironically also the same height.

Return to the practice field

To me, the most encouraging thing was seeing Daniels back out there with his team in the spring practices.

He was getting under center, looked fluid moving around, and displayed some quickness.

In other words, it didn’t look like his back was bothering him, which is good news heading into the upcoming season.

Fingers crossed.

#6 Jalon Daniels 6-foot-0, 215 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 Summer Grade: Fourth-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 0% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of June 29, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

49ers’ Scouts Need to Watch Kansas QB Jalon Daniels (2022: 4 games evaluated)

Kansas QB Jalon Daniels-Grade Drops to Third Round (2022: 4 games evaluated)

2023 game film evaluated: Illinois and Nevada (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

An efficient prospect who can move around and pick up chunks of yardage with his feet when necessary. Winner. Spark plug type in a ball control offense. Has some playmaking ability. Quarterback first. Runner distant second. Decisive. Looks smooth and crisp when setting up shop. Keeps his wits about him under pressure while keeping his eyes downfield. Inconsistent progressions. Tends to lock in with targets. Good enough mobility to get out of a jam. Average accuracy on the move. Average ball security (4 pass breakups and they all came against Nevada).

What to watch for during the 2024 college football season

1. Does he stay healthy?

2. Pass breakups?

3. Deep passing game on point?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.