Many Los Angeles Rams fans are calling their 2026 draft “the worst draft ft during the Sean McVay era.” After getting confirmation that 2025 NFL MVP Matthew Stafford was returning for at least another season, fans expected general manager Les Snead to go “all in”.
However, their selections were a bit all over the place. The Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson as the no. 13 overall pick, drafted tight end–while already having a crowded TE room–Max Klare out of Ohio State and offensive tackle Keagen Trost in round three, Miami wide receiver CJ Daniels, and defensive tackle from Alabama Tim Keenan III.
While Snead may not have surrounded Stafford with weapons next season, don’t rule out CJ Daniels. The former Miami wide receiver was Carson Beck’s second favorite end-zone target in 2026, finishing the year with 50 catches for 557 yards.
Daniels is joining a wide receiver room that includes two of the league’s top wide receivers, Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. And the rookie has made it abundantly clear about becoming teammates with veteran receiver, Davante Adams.
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Rams’ Sixth-Round Draft Pick CJ Daniels Says He ‘Looks Up’ to Davante Adams
CJ Daniels, 24, expressed his immense gratitude to the Los Angeles Rams organization after getting drafted as the no. 197 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
“Everything that I’ve ever wanted in my life just came to life,” Daniels said. “It was a surreal moment.”
One of the reasons why it’s so special is because of Daniel’s feelings toward Davante Adams. Daniels spoke about how Adams is someone that he has modeled his game after and always looked up to.
“Davante is someone that I’ve always looked up to,” Daniels said Saturday. “He’s a guy that I’ve always tried to model my game after, my releases, how he plays the game of football and I’ve definitely watched a lot of Puka. I saw he was a fifth-round draft pick. I saw everything he was capable of doing, whether it was in the run game or pass game. He’s just a very dynamic player. I can’t wait to be a part of that group.”
Daniels can learn a lot from receivers like Adams and Nacua. Adams is entering his 13th NFL season with 12,633 career receiving yards, and is seventh all-time for touchdowns, with 117.
Although only in his fourth season, Nacua has proved himself as one of the best wide receivers in the league, and even learned a thing or two from Adams last season. Which Daniels can expect the same this upcoming season.
Daniels proclaimed his excitement by explaining that he’s dedicated to becoming a great teammate:
“They are going to get a guy that wants to come in and just be the best version of myself each and every day and make my teammates better, a guy that just wants to make plays and do whatever I can to make the quarterback’s job as easy as possible,” Daniels said.
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CJ Daniels Had A Unique College Experience, Played For Three Different Schools
While Rams new rookie wide receiver made the biggest impact last season with the Miami Hurricanes, CJ Daniels noted that the Rams has been following his college journey since he was at Liberty University in 2020.
“I know the Rams, they’ve been following my game for a while since I’ve been at Liberty University and LSU,” Daniels said. “So it’s really just a dream come true man. I really couldn’t see myself being a part of any other organization.”
In his final season at Liberty, Daniels had 55 receptions, 1067 yards, and ten touchdowns. The following season, Daniels–per eligibility rules–was able to transfer to LSU. He started in 10 out of 12 games.
Daniels’ six-year NCAA football career concluded with the Miami Hurricanes, where he helped them to the National Championship game against the Indiana Hoosiers.
Rams’ Rookie WR Shares Message About Playing With Davante Adams