2018 NFL Draft: Ranking the top five offensive linemen

If a team is looking for an offensive linemen who can line up at multiple positions, James Daniels is their guy. If a franchise is searching for a center who can anchor their line for the next decade, then Daniels is again the best bet to be their guy.

Though not quite as heralded as Billy Price, Daniels has a rare combination of versatility, athleticism, and toughness that works well in his favor.

Daniels gets physical at the point of contact with active hands, a strong base, and footwork that give him a powerful push against players who are bigger than he. He has long arms and elite agility for the center position, which helps him gain an immediate advantage at the line of scrimmage.

A combination of length and athleticism will help at every position, and it’s no different for Daniels, who can play any number of roles.

Daniels is likely to be a second-round draft pick, but there will be opportunities for him to break into the Round 1 discussion. The Carolina Panthers need to improve at both center and guard, and Pat Elflein was simply insufficient for the Minnesota Vikings.

If either team were to select Daniels, there’s a good chance that he’d provide immediate signs that it was the right selection to make.