2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: C.J. Daniels (WR – Miami)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Miami wide receiver C.J. Daniels.

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: C.J. Daniels

C.J. Daniels (WR – Miami)

6-foot-2 | 205 Pounds

Background

C.J. Daniels originally attended Liberty, where he played for four years. Caught 11 passes as a freshman in 2020, then rotated in a lot more heavily (six starts) in 2021, finishing with 37-629-7 (17.0). Missed most of 2022 after getting hurt, then came back in 2023 and enjoyed his best season — 55-1,064-10 (19.3). Transferred to LSU and caught 42-480-0 (11.4) in 2024. Transferred to Miami this past season, where he posted a 50-557-7 (11.1) line.

Positives

Relatively tall, well-built receiver who has been productive at three different programs. Simple, clean releases at the line of scrimmage against press coverage. Pretty effective hand-fighter at the line and when dealing with jammers from off-coverage. Long-strider with some build-up speed down the field. Shows impressive quickness at the route stem to snap off patterns and create opportunities for quick completions under off coverage.

Daniels leans into defenders in the break to create space. Offers a strong, reliable pair of hands. Aside from his six drops in 2023, has only three over the rest of his career, giving him nine against 198 catches. Catch radius is also very good, owing to his size/length and body control; shows a penchant for acrobatic, highlight-reel catches (see his one-handed touchdown against Notre Dame). Uses his size, strength and concentration to come down with contested catches. Gives very good effort as a blocker through the whistle, and has solid functional strength.

Negatives

Older than usual after spending six seasons in college. Functioned as a deep threat for Liberty, but a lot of his routes this past season were simple hitches, hooks and curls underneath off coverage. Route timing can occasionally be disrupted by physical defenders, with some contact balance issues cropping up.

Quicker/more sudden than he is explosive, and can struggle to create separation down the field. Doesn’t always have the most consistent hip sink or flexibility into his route stems. Could be a bit more consistent about working back to the passer to make turnover-proof throws. Not the most dynamic receiver after the catch; more of a no-nonsense type who isn’t going to make many opponents miss. Effort as a blocker is more impressive than his overall form/balance; can be overly aggressive, leading to sloppy reps when he’s not playing within his frame.

Summary

A big, strong receiver who shows good quickness at the route stem underneath, has built up speed down the field to draw coverage away from teammates. Offers a reliable pair of hands with impressive body control and concentration.

Those traits should help Daniels find a complementary role as a possession receiver at the next level, especially if he can improve his hip sink and blocking technique a bit. Looks like a mid-round candidate this year.

Projection: Round 4/Round 5