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Bengals proudly select from Iowa
JAMES DANIELS | Iowa 6033 | 306 lbs. | JR. Warren, Ohio (Harding) 9/13/1997 (age 20.6) #78
BACKGROUND: A four-star offensive center recruit out of high school, James Daniels was a three-year starter at Warren G. Harding on the offensive and defensive lines, earning all-state honorable mention honors as a junior and senior. He also lettered in track, tossing shot put and discus. Daniels was the No. 4 center recruit in the 2015 class and received offers from Alabama, Ohio State and several others, but he followed his older brother (LeShun) to Iowa City, signing with the Hawkeyes (as a sophomore center at Harding, Daniels opened run lanes for his older brother, the star running back). Daniels practiced and played at several offensive line positions as a true freshman back-up, earning two starts at left guard in 2015. He moved to center as a sophomore and started 11 games, missing two due to injury. Daniels missed the 2017 season opener before starting the final 12 games of his junior year at center, earning All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors. He decided to skip his final season and enter the 2018 NFL Draft.
YEAR (GP/GS)
2015: (13/2) 2 LG
2016: (11/11) 11 OC
2017: (12/12) 12 OC
Total: (36/25) 23 OC, 2 LG
HT WT ARM HAND WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP
COMBINE 6033 306 33 3/4 09 1/2 80 1/4 - - - 30 1/2 09’00” 4.40 7.29 21
PRO DAY N/A (positional drills only)
STRENGTHS: Broad shouldered frame with proportionate bulk…quick snap-to-step motion…balanced mover and stays off the ground…fluid lower body and natural flexibility to bounce, shuffle and stay between defender and quarterback in pass protection…stubborn, fundamentally-sound hands…uses his reach to snatch/control the three-technique with ease…effortlessly drops his hips to engage and turn defenders, sealing run lanes…efficient puller to get around the edge and block in space…alert and ready for anything, cutting off delayed blitzers…high football IQ and rarely caught out of position…played primarily at center the past two seasons, but also saw action at guard (two starts) and tackle (entered Illinois game at right tackle due to injury) in 2015, becoming the first Iowa true freshman to start on the offensive line since Bryan Bulaga (2007).
WEAKNESSES: Needs to continue and fill out his frame, strengthening his core…anchor would benefit with more sand in his pants…not a bully blocker and lacks the brute power to overwhelm targets…initial punch could use more spice…gives linebackers notice when he intends to go low and cut, allowing them to elude him in space…medicals need addressed, missing three games the last two seasons – underwent right knee surgery (Jan. 2016) to repair a partially torn meniscus, missing spring drills and the first two games of the 2016 season; also missed the 2017 season opener due to a knee sprain.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Iowa, Daniels took over the starting center duties the last two seasons and developed into one of the best interior blockers in college football, despite never making the first or second All-Conference team. There are few reasons to believe he won’t be a successful NFL starter with his clean posture and mechanics to stay centered at contact. Daniels is an outstanding athlete with his initial set-up and movements in both the run and passing game to keep defenders occupied. The medical evaluation on his right knee might be his biggest concern. Overall, Daniels will be only 20 years old when he attends his first NFL training camp and needs to continue and develop his strength, but his athleticism, technique and intelligence project him as a high-end NFL starting centre worthy of top-25 draft consideration.
JAMES DANIELS | Iowa 6033 | 306 lbs. | JR. Warren, Ohio (Harding) 9/13/1997 (age 20.6) #78
BACKGROUND: A four-star offensive center recruit out of high school, James Daniels was a three-year starter at Warren G. Harding on the offensive and defensive lines, earning all-state honorable mention honors as a junior and senior. He also lettered in track, tossing shot put and discus. Daniels was the No. 4 center recruit in the 2015 class and received offers from Alabama, Ohio State and several others, but he followed his older brother (LeShun) to Iowa City, signing with the Hawkeyes (as a sophomore center at Harding, Daniels opened run lanes for his older brother, the star running back). Daniels practiced and played at several offensive line positions as a true freshman back-up, earning two starts at left guard in 2015. He moved to center as a sophomore and started 11 games, missing two due to injury. Daniels missed the 2017 season opener before starting the final 12 games of his junior year at center, earning All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors. He decided to skip his final season and enter the 2018 NFL Draft.
YEAR (GP/GS)
2015: (13/2) 2 LG
2016: (11/11) 11 OC
2017: (12/12) 12 OC
Total: (36/25) 23 OC, 2 LG
HT WT ARM HAND WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP
COMBINE 6033 306 33 3/4 09 1/2 80 1/4 - - - 30 1/2 09’00” 4.40 7.29 21
PRO DAY N/A (positional drills only)
STRENGTHS: Broad shouldered frame with proportionate bulk…quick snap-to-step motion…balanced mover and stays off the ground…fluid lower body and natural flexibility to bounce, shuffle and stay between defender and quarterback in pass protection…stubborn, fundamentally-sound hands…uses his reach to snatch/control the three-technique with ease…effortlessly drops his hips to engage and turn defenders, sealing run lanes…efficient puller to get around the edge and block in space…alert and ready for anything, cutting off delayed blitzers…high football IQ and rarely caught out of position…played primarily at center the past two seasons, but also saw action at guard (two starts) and tackle (entered Illinois game at right tackle due to injury) in 2015, becoming the first Iowa true freshman to start on the offensive line since Bryan Bulaga (2007).
WEAKNESSES: Needs to continue and fill out his frame, strengthening his core…anchor would benefit with more sand in his pants…not a bully blocker and lacks the brute power to overwhelm targets…initial punch could use more spice…gives linebackers notice when he intends to go low and cut, allowing them to elude him in space…medicals need addressed, missing three games the last two seasons – underwent right knee surgery (Jan. 2016) to repair a partially torn meniscus, missing spring drills and the first two games of the 2016 season; also missed the 2017 season opener due to a knee sprain.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Iowa, Daniels took over the starting center duties the last two seasons and developed into one of the best interior blockers in college football, despite never making the first or second All-Conference team. There are few reasons to believe he won’t be a successful NFL starter with his clean posture and mechanics to stay centered at contact. Daniels is an outstanding athlete with his initial set-up and movements in both the run and passing game to keep defenders occupied. The medical evaluation on his right knee might be his biggest concern. Overall, Daniels will be only 20 years old when he attends his first NFL training camp and needs to continue and develop his strength, but his athleticism, technique and intelligence project him as a high-end NFL starting centre worthy of top-25 draft consideration.
