James Daniels, Guard/Center
Daniels has impressed during the first half of the preseason. Although the rookie second-round pick was expected to slide over to left guard to start his NFL career, Daniels is making a push for the starting center job – where he played at Iowa.
Cody Whitehair returns after starting all 16 games in 2017, but the coaching staff can’t ignore how impressive Daniels was while playing center in last week’s preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Daniels showed unmatched athleticism and power as a run blocker. He was equally impressive fighting off Bengals nose tackles in pass protection.
Still just 20 years old, Daniels already masquerades as a wily veteran. His ability to keep his head on a swivel, and then hammer home a huge block while pulling as a center was nothing short of impressive. This biggest question mark has been Daniels’ ability to hold up against powerful interior defensive linemen at the next level. So far, Daniels answered those questions with a resounding “Yes, he can!” At one point against Cincinnati, Daniels showed impressive technique while gaining leverage on a much bigger opponent, Chris Baker, then plunged the nose tackle into the turf. It was Pro Bowl caliber stuff.
The coaching staff’s eyes should be fixated on Daniels during the team’s final three preseason games. The rookie currently sits behind Whitehair at center and Eric Kush at left guard, but Daniels looks like the most talented of the three (after two preseason games). It will be interesting to see if the coaching staff starts moving this trio around during the next three weeks. Whitehair’s more natural position is LG, while Kush has experience at center as well. All three of these guys can move around the line. Keep an eye on where Daniels, Whitehair, and Kush are positioned against Denver.
Regardless of the staff’s depth charting decisions for the season’s opener in Green Bay, Daniels is the most exciting C/G to watch the rest of the preseason. It shouldn’t be long before the former Hawkeye is starting somewhere along the Bear O-Line.
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