Chicago Bears Draft Profile: Defensive Lineman Darrion Daniels

The Chicago Bears have a need for depth at defensive tackle. Darrion Daniels can provide that depth, helping give starter Eddie Goldman enough rest to be fresh throughout the season.

The Chicago Bears have several needs to address in next week’s NFL Draft. One of those needs is adding depth to the defensive line, specifically defensive tackle.

Eddie Goldman is a big part of the Bears’ run defense. His big body clogs the middle of the line, pinning ball carriers back. He also does a good job of getting to the quarterback as well, recording 12.5 sacks and 20 quarterback hits.

The problem is that Goldman suffered a variety of injuries that kept him out of games. He’s missed 13 games in his five seasons. To be fair, 10 of those games he missed came in 2016, but the Bears still need to have a capable backup, especially with the loss of Nick Williams via free agency.

Darrion Daniels is a player who could help Goldman. He has a big body and can do can help the defensive line in Goldman’s absence.

Measurables: 

Height: 6-foot-3  Weight: 311 pounds

Strengths:

Daniels brings high energy whenever he’s on the field. He started his career at Oklahoma State but transferred to Nebraska after his junior season. He is a high character player. Teammates and coaches from both schools have nothing but good things to say about him.

Daniels is a natural leader. The reason Daniels transferred was to be close to his brother, Damion. Damion needed to have a fire lit under him and his brother did exactly that.

Daniels didn’t stop at that. He lit a fire under the defensive line, then the linebackers, then the entire defense. He was like an extra coach.

Daniels has good big man speed and is quick off the snap. Additionally, he does a good job of taking on angle blocks and gets under blockers’ pads to get good leverage. In addition, he sheds blocks fairly quickly and has an effective spin move to get away from would-be blockers.

Weaknesses:

Daniels shows the ability to make plays in the opponents’ backfield but he hasn’t been consistent enough in making those plays. In addition, he’s had some injury troubles. Perhaps playing fewer snaps in a backup role helps with that.

Daniels has a tendency to hit the opposing blocker with his hands too wide. That takes some of his power away and hurting his point of attack.

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How does he fit?

Daniels has the skills to be a dependable backup. He’ll give Goldman enough of a spell so that he’ll be strong not only at the end of games but also at the end of the season and, hopefully, into the playoffs.

The Chicago Bears defense has a lot of high character players on the unit. Daniels would be another addition. He has great leadership skills and would fit in with his teammates on the field and in the locker room.