Vikings Prospect Player Card: James Daniels | C | Iowa

Image courtesy of Vikings.com

As the NFL Draft approaches, Vikings Territory is taking a look at prospects that may interest the Minnesota Vikings. Since it’s evident the team would like to add a long-term offensive line starter at some point in the early rounds, let’s examine the players who could fit that mold.

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  • School: Iowa
  • Position: C/G
  • Projected round: 1-2
  • Age: 20

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  • Height: 6-3
  • Weight: 303 lbs.
  • Arm: 33 3/4″
  • Hand: 9 1/2″

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  • Bench press: 21 reps of 225 pounds
  • 40-yard dash: DNP (hamstring injury)
  • Vertical jump: 30.5 inches
  • Broad jump: 9 feet
  • 3-cone drill: 7.29 seconds (2nd among OL)
  • 20-yard shuttle: 4.40 seconds (1st among OL)

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Vikings Interest: 9/10

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  • Very athletic offensive line prospect who is physically gifted.
  • High football IQ. Consistent performer.
  • Has a football knowledge and pedigree that can’t be taught. His brother and father have played in the NFL.
  • Daniels is very young. He’ll be 20 years old when the 2018 season begins.
  • He has experience playing guard.
  • Impressed at the NFL Combine, clocking in among the top offensive linemen in quickness/speed drills.
  • Excels in a zone-blocking scheme.
  • Has an impressive wing span with above average arm length.
  • Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded run blocker among draft-eligible centers in 2017.

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  • According to his NFL draft profile, Daniels needs to add functional weight to his frame.
  • As evidenced by his bench press performance at the combine, he needs to add strength in order to handle being bull-rushed by nose tackles at the next level.
  • Needs to improve in pass protection and screen blocking.
  • Vikings already have a center. Daniels, who projects as a center in the NFL, would likely be moved to guard with the presence of Pat Elflein.

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Bottom Line:

Daniels is a young prospect that with added strength has the chance to become a Pro Bowl starter.

Potential OL starters:

LT Riley Reiff – LG Nick Easton – C Pat Elflein – RG James Daniels – RT Mike Remmers

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