What is the ceiling that James Daniels could reach as a prospect and what is the floor for the Chicago Bears offensive lineman?
Some players fall because of their “ceilings”, some rise for their “floors” and vice versa. While it is obvious that a player could ascend any ceiling set, there is a reason Antonio Brown is Antonio Brown.
Not everyone overcomes steep odds. With that said, you can start to grasp a ceiling and floor for what you think a player is, and from there you can attach value to that player, knowing that in most cases you will hit somewhere in between the two extremes, with the rare exception of an Antonio Brown, or a JaMarcus Russell.
With that said, what is the most likely four-year ceiling and floor for the offensive line prospect, James Daniels?
Best Case
Year One: Harry Hiestand raves at training camp about the plug and play ability at guard. His mobility and athleticism shows refinement at the second level, making his adjustment to guard completely seamless.
Year Two: After a full season starting together, the Daniels, Whitehair, Long trio is really starting to form. Daniels is still the least notarized of the three, but he is becoming the fan favorite who put the finishing touches on this group, as well he and Kyle Long becoming well known for their touchdown celebrations on short yardage touchdowns.
Year Three: Early into training camp the team is thinking extension with James Daniels. They get him locked down to a four-year extension at fair market rate due to his low level of notoriety. This turns into one of the best decisions of Ryan Pace’s career. Daniels has a career year, does more touchdown celebrations, and finds himself starting in the Pro Bowl as a fan favorite at guard.
Year Four: Daniels finishes his fourth healthy season as a starter next to Cody Whitehair. The duo has become a staple in Chicago, and keeping the two in their current positions pays off.
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Worst Case:
Year One: Daniels is having some technique issues after being a center for so long. He and Cody Whitehair lack chemistry early and it becomes apparent early into camp that Eric Kush is currently better than their second round pick. The Chicago Bears find themselves in a summer job battle with Kush and Daniels and while the franchise tries as hard as possible, they have to roll with Kush early.
Kyle Long gets hurt early and Daniels has to finish the season at right guard, but he now heads into the offseason without a defined position.
Year Two: Mitchell Trubisky and Cody Whitehair still had issues with snaps last season and questions are arising with Whitehair. The team makes the decision to move Daniels back to center. Now in year two, he is learning position three in the NFL. Needless to say, he gets off to a rocky start at center, and fans begin to get restless about the handling of him. However, Whitehair finishes the season strong at guard, and team goes into year three having to make a decision with Daniels.
Year Three: Injuries and age catch up to Kyle Long, who the team has now moved on from. Speculation spreads that Daniels is moving back to right guard. When the team does it, many in the media begin to question the decision making skills of Harry Hiestand. Nonetheless, it still is not clicking for Daniels. It looks like the Bears panicked in trying to find him a home and made him a jack of all trades, master of none.
Year Four: The Bears head into a contract year still yet to make a decision on his future with the team. He has his best year in a Bears uniform at right guard, but it was not elite by any measure. The Chicago Bears felt comfortable giving him a one-year deal with decent upfront money. However, he ended up accepting a four year above market rate elsewhere.