USFL Player Evaluation for Miami WR CJ Daniels by Malcolm Folk
CJ Daniels Scouting Report
CJ Daniels is a 6th-year senior wide receiver with elite ball skills that surpass athletic restrictions. Daniels has an exceptional ability to find soft spots in zone coverage and understands how to manipulate defensive backs’ leverage in off-man situations. He is a physical blocker who is successful at the point of attack, but his hand placement can be refined to elevate his run-blocking. A 2023 All-Conference USA second team selection, and with stints at Liberty, LSU, and Miami, Daniels is an experienced receiver who has proven production across multiple systems.
Daniels is a three-level route runner who can run every route on the route tree effectively. At 6 ‘2, 205lbs, Daniels has a body type that allows him to bully defensive backs at the top of routes, creating instant separation. However, Daniels needs to improve his body language when running intermediate routes. He raises his hips as he decelerates, which is a key tell for defensive backs that he is at the top of his breakpoint. Daniels thrives versus soft-man coverage, where he has the suddenness and patience to win on option routes.
Daniels’ ball skills put him in a category of his own, and he has put multiple acrobatic catches on tape. He has an elite catch radius, strong hands, and catches the football cleanly away from his frame. He works back to the ball well and thrives in contested-catch situations, making him a 50/50-ball nightmare.
Daniels’ struggles occur when challenged at the line of scrimmage, and he has difficulties separating from aggressive press coverage. He uses his hands well, but faces timing issues with the quarterback because he tries to win twice at the line of scrimmage. If Daniels can create a more efficient presnap release plan and trust that he will win on the first move, then he will become a successful NFL outside receiver.
Scheme and Team Fit:
Daniels projects best in a Spread offense that operates primarily out of 11 personnel. The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams offenses would best suit Daniels’s skillset, because both teams heavily use stacks, bunches, and condensed splits to create free releases. Both teams also take pride in blocking on the edges.
NFL Player Comp: Josh Palmer (Bills)
Daniels and Palmer are bigger possession receivers who use physicality to make contested catches and create separation when running intermediate routes. Both have strong hands and are reliable redzone targets.
Projection: Backup/Role Player
The ability to create separation against true man coverage will be crucial for Daniels’s development and will determine whether he is able to blossom into a full-time starter.
Grade and Round Projection:
Daniels grades out as a 4 out of 7 , and is projected as a 4th round pick.
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