Rams Draft Alabama Quarterback, Select Wide Receiver in Later Rounds

With the No. 12 pick in the NFL Draft, many expected the Rams to go for a top wide receiver. They surprised everyone by sticking to their long-term strategy and choosing Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson instead.

As it turns out, Los Angeles opted to draft just one wide receiver. In the sixth round, they picked CJ Daniels from the University of Miami.

Daniels stands at 6-foot-1 and weighs 195 pounds, showing promise for a successful NFL career.

During a media session on Thursday, Rams head coach Sean McVay shared insights on how he envisions utilizing Daniels. He mentioned, “He has maturity and good eye contact. You can just sense his presence in the conference room and his willingness to engage.”

Daniels started his college journey at Liberty, played one year at LSU, and wrapped up his career at Miami. Last season, the Hurricanes achieved a strong 13-3 record, though they fell to Indiana in the National Championship. In that game, Daniels made four catches for 62 yards, including a notable 25-yard reception.

His final year at Liberty was particularly impressive—he recorded 55 receptions, racked up 1,067 yards, and scored 10 touchdowns.

McVay added, “We appreciated his overall performance and the solid feedback from people we respect.”

The Rams have gained a reputation for excelling at drafting later in the rounds. In 2023, they picked Puka Nacua in the fifth round. Like Nacua, Daniels has a talent for creating separation on routes and has a keen sense for catching opportunities.

While the NFL season is still some time away, Daniels will be competing for a starting receiver position against candidates like Jordan Whittington and Xavier Smith.