James Daniels, IOL | Page 2 | 49ers Webzone Forum

adrianlesnar · 2021-12-10T10:10:25-08:00

A favorite of many coming out of Iowa, James Daniels is going to be a FA after this year. Most teams aren't in the business of letting good OL walk, but he should be a target of the 49ers based off of his college pedigree. Daniels was a highly athletic and pro ready center prospect coming out of college who went very early in the second round, but had 1st round grades from many draft analysts. Some predicted him to go in the teens. His one knock was strength, and while I don't watch Bears games, it looks like that may still be the case. My understanding is he is finally starting to play at a high level consistently now that he has found a home at right guard. Personally, I would want to sign him to play center. He played center with the bears when he first entered the league, and my understanding is that he wasn't too successful. However, he was one of the youngest prospects in the draft class, and my understanding is that the bears played a lot more gap/power under the regime at the time. He has been playing much better now that the team runs primarily outside zone, albeit with a move to guard. My assumption is that moving back to center in a outside zone scheme will only help his pass protection even more with less 1v1s, and at only 24(??), he can continue to fill out and put on strength, especially since he lost time to do so due to a pectoral injury earlier in his career. I'd love to hear from those who either A. Watch bears games, or B. Are more knowledgeable about OL scouting.

James Daniels, IOL

Jan 31, 2022 at 2:50 PM

#16

LasVegasWally
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Posts: 24,864

Originally posted by TheXFactor:
He's an Iowa guy, ask Kittle if he blows.

This

Feb 1, 2022 at 9:06 AM

#17

m_brockalexander
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Posts: 13,379

One of my draft crushes from four years ago. Here's his old draft profile from four years ago:

Overview

Daniels is a fluid mover with tremendous initial quickness to win positioning on most every zone block he's asked to make -- both on the first and second levels. His height, weight and arm length numbers at the Combine will be critical in either solidifying his draft slot or potentially dropping him a round. Some teams might see him as a zone-only center, but he may be strong enough to fit in with other blocking schemes. He needs to get stronger, but he's a plus run blocker and pass protector with a chance to become a Pro Bowl starter.

Yes, please!

Feb 1, 2022 at 9:23 AM

#18

Hysterikal
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Posts: 39,761

Yeah in a heart beat if he's available.

Feb 1, 2022 at 11:47 AM

#19

Phoenix49ers
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Posts: 132,127

Originally posted by Hysterikal:
Yeah in a heart beat if he's available.

My guess is that there's going to be a bidding war that takes him out of the 49ers price range. He'd be a great long term piece but I can see him pulling $10+ mil a year from someone.

If they let Tomlinson walk and Mack retires, I could see Daniels being a strong option.

Feb 10, 2022 at 7:08 PM

#20

ESWYoung08
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Posts: 613

I guess we are allowed to dream on the forum, but I would love if we somehow picked up both the Iowa FA linemen Scherff and Daniels, if we let Tomlinson walk.

[ Edited by ESWYoung08 on Feb 11, 2022 at 4:15 AM ]

Feb 13, 2022 at 10:36 AM

#21

LasVegasWally
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Posts: 24,864

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by Hysterikal:
Yeah in a heart beat if he's available.

My guess is that there's going to be a bidding war that takes him out of the 49ers price range. He'd be a great long term piece but I can see him pulling $10+ mil a year from someone.

If they let Tomlinson walk and Mack retires, I could see Daniels being a strong option.

Good call.

He may shine in a KS offense.