With the 39th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears have selected James Daniels from the University of Iowa.
Daniels is listed as a center and was announced as such by Mike Singletary at the draft, but it is unclear at this point where he will play in Chicago. Cody Whitehair has experience at guard and was drafted there, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him move to that position.
Daniels is currently listed at 6’4″ and 295 pounds and is thought of as a zone scheme blocker. In that regard, Daniels is a perfect fit along the Bears offensive line.
“The Iowa guys are always going to be quick and proficient, but you have to see them tested against power because they are usually going to be a little smaller, too. This guy has decent size and I think he’s got pretty good functional power. He would come in and challenge for best center in our division right away.” – NFC Team college couting director (via nfl.com)
Many considered Daniels to have a first-round grade, but after an unexpected push away from the trenches on the draft’s first day, Daniels fell to 39. After rampant speculation about a trade, Ryan Pace made the pick, the first time he has stayed put in the second round in the past three years.
Daniels does not have a glaring hole in his game and is likely to start day one in Chicago. Daniels is Pace’s second power-five pick in this draft, despite only having two total all of last year’s draft.
Welcome to Chicago, James Daniels!
