Daniels is one of the most unique defensive chess pieces in this draft — a 6-5, 242-pound safety-turned-linebacker who thrived in Oklahoma's 'Cheetah' role, carrying receivers down the seam one snap and detonating ball carriers the next. His coverage instincts and safety-bred range are legitimate NFL traits at a position that increasingly demands them, and his pass rush feel (career PFF rush grades above 64 every year) gives coordinators a versatile blitz weapon. But the tackle-to-tackle consistency remains a real concern: a 16.1% missed tackle rate in 2025, PFF tackling grades that have never cracked 58, and hip stiffness that shows up when he has to redirect in tight spaces. He's a boom-or-bust developmental piece whose outcome depends entirely on whether a defensive staff can build a role around his unique skill set rather than force him into a traditional linebacker box.

• 🏎️Elite size-speed combination for a linebacker (6-5, 242) with safety-level movement skills and range in coverage
• 🚀Legitimate pass rush ability off the edge — PFF pass rush grades of 71.6, 64.8, and 66.2 across three seasons at Oklahoma State, with 9.0 TFL in 2025
• 🪂Coverage versatility honed by two years as a full-time safety — triggers quickly out of zone, stays in phase in man, and can carry TEs and RBs down the seam
• 🏋️Massive career snap count (2,800+ snaps) across safety, box, slot, and edge alignments provides scheme flexibility and football IQ

• 💥Chronic missed tackle issue — PFF tackling grades of 48.4, 57.2, 40.1, and a 16.1% missed tackle rate in 2025; will shoot low and miss in space
• 💨Hip stiffness and change-of-direction limitations when asked to flip and redirect, particularly against NFL-speed route runners
• 🃏Tweener concerns: not a traditional thumper LB and no longer a true safety — NFL positional fit is unclear without a scheme-specific role
• −Advanced age (turns 24 as a rookie) limits developmental upside window compared to younger prospects