The Los Angeles Rams and wide receiver CJ Daniels kept tabs on each other long before their paths crossed in the 2026 NFL draft.
Daniels, who Los Angeles traded up 10 spots with the Eagles to acquire in the sixth round, told the Rams’ official website that he models his game, specifically his releases, after Davante Adams and has also watched a bunch of Puka Nacua film. He added that the team has followed his game since his time at Liberty and LSU, and it was a “dream come true” to join the organization.
Both Daniels and the Rams seemed destined to intertwine at some point, even if the path there seemed never-ending.
Across the Florida-Georgia line: A well-traveled college career
After graduating from Parkview High School in Georgia, Daniels was especially well-traveled in his collegiate career. The first stop on his college tour took him to Liberty, where he had a quiet 2020 campaign with the Flames.
Then, the following season, he broke out with 634 receiving yards and seven touchdown receptions. Unfortunately, he was unable to capitalize on his stellar campaign as he tore his ACL on the first day of spring 2022 practices, sidelining him for much of the year.
However, in 2023, Daniels more than made up for lost time, as he recorded career highs in receptions (55), yards
(1,067) and touchdown receptions (10). He earned second-team Conference USA honors as Liberty began the season 13-0, highlighted by a 49-35 win over New Mexico State in the conference championship game. In that one, Daniels had perhaps the best game of his collegiate career, hauling in seven receptions for 157 yards and a 20-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.
Once Oregon finished fanning the Flames in that year’s Fiesta Bowl 45-6, Liberty’s lone blemish on an otherwise remarkable season, Daniels opted to enter the transfer portal for the first time. The next stop on his college tour took him around 970 miles from Lynchburg, Virginia, down to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Things started fine, given he was named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list ahead of the 2024 season. Daniels quickly figured out that the grass wasn’t greener at a significantly larger university against SEC competition. With the Tigers, he recorded 42 receptions for 480 yards, including seven receptions for 86 yards in a 34-10 victory over Arkansas.
His biggest contribution came off the field through serving as the vice president of Angels of Epilepsy, a charity organization dedicated to providing information and resources to those in the epilepsy community. Daniels’ mother, Natalie Beavers, founded the organization in 2008 after living with epilepsy for most of her life.
The wideout held an event at Tiger Stadium that season as part of National Epilepsy Awareness Month, where attendees were taught seizure first aid and safety training by local doctors specializing in epilepsy.
“It’s amazing bringing people together and showing how many people are affected by epilepsy, because a lot of people don’t know about what epilepsy is. It’s just a blessing that I can use my platform to show support for those in need,” Daniels said in a November 2024 article by LSU Sports.
Daniels again entered the transfer portal after LSU’s disappointing 9-4 season, choosing to end his career in Florida. In his sixth and final year of eligibility, Daniels helped the Miami Hurricanes to a 13-3 campaign, in which he caught 50 passes for 557 yards and seven touchdowns, en route to an appearance in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. The Canes were unable to raise a championship banner, as they fell short to the powerhouse Indiana Hoosiers 28-21.
Daniels never put up major numbers at Miami as he did in 2023 with Liberty, yet he was easily an underrated part of the Hurricanes’ deep CFP run this past season.
What Daniels brings to the Rams
Now, we can get into the fun stuff, considering Daniels brings enough to the table to shake up the Rams’ depth chart this summer.
As stated in the intro, Daniels has modeled his game after Adams and also watched film on the All-Pro Nacua. Having those two as teammates could give him an edge over other players fighting for a spot on the depth chart.
Sometimes, college hopping can be a red flag to NFL teams, but Daniels spun it as a positive during his post-draft interview with the Rams’ official website:
“Being at three schools, I really learned a lot about myself. I learned that I’m just driven with the process. I’m driven to get to this goal where I’m at today, and I didn’t let nothing get in the way, battled a bunch of adversity. I’ve been through a lot, and I learned that I thrive in events of adversity for sure,” Daniels said via Rams.com staff writer Wyatt Miller.
That professional mindset will certainly help him get along with the Rams’ offensive coaching staff. He also has a natural feel for the game and a good-sized frame and length that could help him make strong catches in coverage and be able to snag Matthew Stafford’s rocket passes.
The Athletic NFL draft analyst Dane Brugler took note of Daniels’ 75.8% contested-catch rate over the past three seasons and his 1.6% drop rate over his final two college seasons at LSU and Miami. Brugler mentioned his “average-at-best speed” and struggle to bump-and-run defenders during his evaluation:
“Daniels might lack explosive speed, but he creates separation with crafty instincts and finishes with dependable ball skills. He projects best inside as a ‘big slot’ in the NFL, who can rely on his awareness and toughness to be productive.
Daniels doesn’t have a true difference-making trait, but his package of skills is easy to appreciate. He has quality size and foot quickness with gliding movements to attack coverage. Whether wide open or double covered, he frames the ball with the same focus and prides himself on doing whatever is asked of him within the offense.”
Daniels wasn’t drafted for his speed; that much is certain. Nor is he going to rack up a ton of yardage, since he didn’t have a 100-yard outing at LSU or Miami, amazingly — his last such game over the century mark came in December 2023 at Liberty(!) Out of everything, he was selected for his reliability as a pass catcher and his ability to adapt and handle adversity.
All those stops in college paved the way for his ability to comprehend different offensive systems. Not everything worked out at each stop, whether for a dip in production or injury concerns, but he made the most out of every opportunity he received, and that certainly should count for something.
Read more: RAMalytics: CJ Daniels could shake up Rams receiving depth
Daniels will be an interesting player to watch once training camp opens later this month. He is entering the NFL not only as a sixth round pick, but as a player with a massive chip on his shoulder. If that leads to a surprise inclusion on the depth chart ahead of the 2026 season, he will be a welcome addition to a team eager to make a Super Bowl run.
