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CJ Daniels can help wake up a drowsy Rams passing game
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- CJ Daniels can help wake up a drowsy Rams passing game
At first glance, the Los Angeles Rams passing offense seems healthy and productive. They currently sit third in the NFL in passing yards and attempts, while standing second in completions. The numbers say one thing, but clearly, over the last two games, quarterback Matthew Stafford hasn't looked comfortable targeting wide outs not named Puka Nacua. Actually, the passing offense (under 200 yards) has been uninspiring against three consecutive lower-tier teams
It is time rookie CJ Daniels gets his chance in the Rams offense. Even with the heavy dose of multiple tight end formations, a 45% rate, the need for more production out of L.A.'s secondary wide receivers is glaring.
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Stafford's fluster has been particularly noticeable in the past two games since Davante Adams went to the Injured Reserve List. In theory, Daniels place on the active roster in the past two games is in response to Adams' absence, but he's only received five offensive snaps, all in mop-up situations with the Rams running out the clock. Opposite Nacua, the L.A. offense has instead made do with holdovers Tutu Atwell, Konata Mumpfield, and Jordan Whittington to the tune of three catches on nine targets for 65 yards.
Even with a heavy dose of multiple tight end formations, a 45% rate, the need for more production out of L.A.'s secondary wide receivers is glaring.
What CJ Daniels brings to the table
The L.A. scouting department loves players who can step up from lower competition schools and be successful with bigger programs. Daniels played at Liberty, a Conference USA program, for four seasons (one redshirt), improving his production numbers every year. He jumped through the 2024 portal to LSU and proffered a solid SEC season that was cut short by injury after nine games. Granted a sixth year of eligibility for 2025, he moved to the ACC Miami Hurricanes for a final season that ended in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
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After a trade that moved the Rams up 10 draft positions, Daniels was taken at #197 of Round 6 in the 2026 Draft. Daniels checks off a lot of boxes that make up what the Rams look for in a wide receiver, the intangibles as well as physical makeup. His character is toughness, football IQ, and reliability. At 6' 2" 202 lb. with almost 32" arms, Daniels has stellar hands (zero drops in his senior year at Miami) and outstanding body control led him to convert contested catches at a 75.6 percent percent clip over his last three college seasons.
Not particularly fast or bursty, 4.58 forty and 1.61 10 yard split, his change of direction/ short area agility (7.03 3cone) are average, as is his flexibility/ balance (4.27 shuttle). Daniels creates separation with feints/fakes, change of speed, and sharp cuts out of breaks. He tracks balls well, and sports solid hand/eye coordination. He can really extend to get after the ball, but needs to be consistent as a pro, NFL cornerbacks will swipe the ball from body catchers and hesitant reach. He was considered a willing and successful run blocker.
Daniels pro film is from preseason games and it coincides quite well with his college profile. He projects as a reliable, competitive support piece, not a star playmaker. He has formational versatility, can find soft areas of zones, and his cuts at speed will help him against man coverage, but early in his career he may struggle if he can't release off the line of scrimmage clean. Not a lot of giddy-up with the ball in his hands, but his aggressive play style could help him break sloppy tackles.
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Are fans the only ones considering a WR change?
Excepting those periods where the offense has been in hurry up mode. It has been clunky for portions of every game without regard to competition, Adams injury has only exacerbated the situation. The Rams need at wide receiver has fueled pundits to weigh in on rumors about the addition of big names, Josh Downs, Brian Thomas, Jr. and Jajuan Jennings amongst others. But there's a huge hurdle to overcome. Without re-working established contracts, L.A. simply doesn't have the cap space, which according to overthecap.com stands at a paltry $8k, to bring in a veteran or promising youngster.
The L.A. braintrust does not appear particularly interested bringing in receiver help from another team. Sean McVay weighed in on the the contributions of the receiver unit over the past two games and whether, or not he was actively looking for an WR upgrade from other teams with Nate Atkins of The Athletic.
"All I care about is winning," McVay said. "We're 2-0 in those games,… I think there are a lot of ways that you can impact the game, not exclusive to just catching the football…The first five drives (Sunday vs the Chargers) were not good at all, but there were a lot of reasons for that. None of them that I thought had to do with the other receivers."
"I would never rule out opportunities to get better, but at what opportunity cost?" McVay said. "…What are the resources that you would be willing to give up when you're looking at it as a whole? I understand the question, I just don't know that there's enough information or people that are out there that are available that would accommodate …"
Sub-par production out of the current Rams receivers not named Puka Nacua or not, all the signs clearly point to the Rams plowing forward with in-house wide receivers. Just as clearly, it is time for CJ Daniels to get his shot at re-invigorating the Rams secondary targets.
