Overview

Position: QB

College: Kansas

Class: Senior

Age: 23

 

Measurables

Height: 6’0 3/4″

Weight: 219 lbs.

Arm length: 30 3/8”

Hand size: 9 5/8”

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: 4.65 sec.

10-yard split: 1.63 sec.

Vertical jump: N/A

Broad jump: N/A

Bench press: N/A

3-cone drill: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

 

Strengths

Four-time team captain. Very good natural accuracy at all levels. Deep corner routes always seem to be on the money. Confident and accurate throwing corner routes in tight coverage. Exceptional accuracy on deeper out routes. Outstanding overall arm strength. Hits his back foot and throws to the open target on play-action passes from under center. Impressive footwork on creative pockets. Will slide and use play fakes before setting his feet for a throw. Sets his feet to launch the deep ball. Lays out downfield throws for pass-catchers to bring in over the shoulder. Great touch and timing throwing to a spot at the intermediate level. Very encouraging ability to layer throws at the intermediate level. Excellent throwing to tight ends over defenders and/or between coverage at the intermediate level. Able to accurately rip throws down the seam. Shows touch throwing over an underneath defender down the seam. Allows routes to develop versus zone coverage. Throws with zip and accuracy targeting stop routes between zone defenders. Accurate on deep over routes near the sideline. Plenty of arm talent and confidence hitting a hole shot between the cornerback and safety late in the progression. Quick and decisive going from progression to progression. Decisive on short passing concepts. Recognizes and hits open hitches. Accurate on quick outs. Shows he will work through full progressions in scoring territory. Instinctive as a passer in scoring territory. Places the ball high and away from coverage in the end zone. Very good feel on back-shoulder fades. Smooth and quick release on RPOs. Very accurate getting the ball out into the flat on RPOs. Terrific touch and accuracy throwing over defensive linemen on short passes. Quick release and impressive vision to get the ball to an open target when facing quick penetration. Has an ability to move and make an accurate throw off one foot. Impressive accuracy and ball placement while fading away. Tremendous instincts and quickness to avoid sacks. Strong breaking sacks. Will calmly avoid an edge rusher by stepping up and out of the pocket. Outstanding ability to maneuver and escape the rush while keeping his eyes downfield. Accurate and in command throwing on the run to his right. Will evade rushers and take advantage of a rushing lane. Excellent vision and instincts as a runner. Very quick and instinctive juke move. Fast in the open field. Runs with balance and strength. Used on zone reads from the shotgun and pistol. Effective on quarterback sneaks.

 

Weaknesses

Solid build but below-average height and frame. Accuracy can be streaky. Has some throws where it gets away from and sails high. Sometimes a tick delayed in uncorking the deep ball. Downfield passes can be flat when he throws it late. Downfield accuracy is inconsistent in general. Can be better taking the open target underneath on vertical concepts. Sometimes doesn’t pull the trigger on an open throw that he showed he can make in contested coverage. Could be quicker getting to his check down when pressured. Sometimes escapes back and out of the pocket instead of standing in longer. Needs to be better about throwing the ball away to fight another play when on the run. Would like to see him protect himself more often at the end of runs. Creativity as a ball handler can lead to him being reckless at times.

 

NFL comparison

Malik Willis

 

Conclusion

Overall, Daniels is an experienced dual-threat quarterback who can operate in the short-passing game and work through more advanced progressions. The natural accuracy shown on deeper corner routes and touch throwing over coverage are key reasons to believe in him as a potential starting quarterback.

 

Big Board ranking: #60 | Positional ranking: #3