NFL Draft Profile: Braeden Daniels, Offensive Lineman, Utah Utes
Braeden Daniels
Utah Utes
#71
Pos: iOL
Ht: 6041
Wt: 294
Hand: 0938
Arm: 3300
Wing: 8178
40: 4.99
DOB: 8/22/2000
Hometown: Carrollton, TX
High School: Hebron
Eligibility: 2023
One Liner:
Daniels is a versatile lineman who has flashes of well-framed blocks and lateral agility, but his lack of play strength, questionable agility, and underdeveloped technique make him a late-round pick at best.
Evaluation:
Daniels has significant starting experience at left guard, right tackle, and left tackle. He appears to have adequate arm length and a good but not elite wingspan. Daniels makes his money in pass protection. His hands engage early and guide the rusher upfield, around the pocket. He displays some lateral agility to protect his outside shoulder in pass protection but struggles to reach his landmarks before explosive defenders. There are examples of Daniels framing blocks well, but this is an area where he’s highly inconsistent. He’s rarely beaten to his inside shoulder in pass protection. Daniels uses leverage well as a pass blocker, and his feet remain active. Despite earning All-Pac-12 selections at both tackle positions, Daniels appears more confident attacking the chests of offensive linemen. when playing guard. He also displayed better control and upside climbing to the second level on inside runs when operating at guard. Daniels seals lanes for outside runs and is strong enough to wall off second-level players. The redshirt junior’s frame is very lean for an offensive lineman of his size, and it’s reflected in his poor play strength. Power rushers put him on skates and walk him back to the quarterback. Daniels lacks the strength to maul opponents, and defenders easily disengage from his blocks and redirect to the football. Smaller defenders occasionally toss the former three-star recruit off balance. He is inconsistent at creating displacement as a run blocker and struggles to sustain blocks in that area of the game. Daniels lacks the agility to mirror defenders and is forced to open his hips to handle speed rushers. His lean build includes tight and narrow hips, which might cause trouble as he tries to add mass in the future. The Texas native leans and lunges to sustain blocks, causing him to play unbalanced frequently. Daniels plays high in space, isn’t a fast mover in the open field, and takes poor angles to second-level defenders. His hands lack pop and are consistently wide, allowing defenders into his chest. The All-Pac-12 selection frequently bends at the waist and displays inconsistent, staggered, and toesy footwork. His hands are frequently swatted or swiped away. Daniels’ awareness and recognition of stunts and blitzes waivers from week to week.
Grade:
7th Round
Background:
Daniels was a three-star recruit from Hebron High School in Carrollton, Texas, in the class of 2018. He was the No. 1,445 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 1,654 for On3.com. Daniels was an unranked three-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 75 grade out of 100. He originally committed to Illinois before flipping to Utah. Daniels picked the Utes over offers from Boise State, Houston, Illinois, Tulane, and Tulsa. In high school, Daniels earned First-Team All-District honors in 2016 when Hebron won Area and Bi-District Championships. He also competed in track and field, finishing third in the area and district in shot put in 2017. Daniels’ mother played basketball at McNeese University. He earned Second-Team All-Pac-12 honors in 2021 and First-Team All-Pac-12 honors in 2022.
