Hogs Haven takes a look at 2025 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders
Robert McDaniel, S
School: Jackson State | Conference: SWAC
College Experience: Senior | Age: ?
Height / Weight: 6’2” / 212 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 6th Round-UDFA
Player Comparison: Rayshawn Jenkins
College Statistics
Player Overview
Robert McDaniel has had a roundabout path to the NFL. He was a talented high school player in Louisiana, named co-MVP of his district after a productive senior season. He enrolled at Jackson State in 2019, but transferred after that year to a junior college. At Mississippi Gulf Community College, McDaniel put up respectable numbers, improving year over year. In 2022, he transferred to Alcorn State. In his second year, McDaniel posted impressive numbers with three interceptions and eight PBUs. He would play his last season where his career started, landing back with the Tigers of Jackson State. He put up the most tackles of his career while taking the ball away, forcing two fumbles and hauling in three picks. McDaniel’s play helped the Tigers to a SWAC Championship and a win in the Celebration Bowl, a first in the program’s history. A strong showing at the HBCU Combine has gotten the attention of talent evaluators throughout the NFL, including the Commanders.
Strengths
- Explosive athlete
- High IQ demonstrated by playing multiple alignments
- Good technique in man coverage to stay with receivers
- Gets downhill fast, but under control
- Reads keys at line of scrimmage to get to ball carrier
- Delivers good pop as a hitter
Weaknesses
- Angles to the ball can be poor
- Not many reps away from line of scrimmage
- Can be late breaking on ball in coverage
- Needs to keep his feet when making tackles
- Can miss tackles aiming too high on his target
Let’s See His Work
The #Vikings have shown “significant interest” in Jackson State DB Robert McDaniel, per @_RyanFowler_. McDaniel could be a solid day 3 pick for Minnesota.
: @DaOfficialRob pic.twitter.com/7Shkswpkm0
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) March 30, 2025
Jackson State football DB Robert McDaniel says he knew when he transferred from Alcorn to JSU that T.C. Taylor’s vision of winning the SWAC would happen
He says he wanted to make this a “statement game” after not being named All-Conference or All-American
He had 2 INT pic.twitter.com/9SQ9UzluO8
— David Edelstein (@davidzedelstein) December 8, 2024
Fmr @GoJSUTigers DB Robert McDaniel jumping an impressive 10”8 here at #HBCUCombine pic.twitter.com/F6PQ4yj4F3
— Emory Hunt (@FBallGameplan) February 17, 2025
Robert McDaniel is a SS prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 8.84 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 144 out of 1228 SS from 1987 to 2025.https://t.co/IPHF46GJYw pic.twitter.com/RiKRT0NKml
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 4, 2025
The Washington Commanders recently held a private dinner with Jackson State SAF Robert McDaniel, per source.
One of the premier HBCU prospects in the class, Washington has shown interest throughout the process from the HBCU combine (Feb 17th) to his pro day (Mar 26th).…
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) April 4, 2025
How does he fit on the team
Washington lost strong safety Jeremy Chinn in free agency. All-world athlete Tyler Owens should get a chance to compete with recently signed Will Harris to start at the position next season. However, the team could look for more depth and versatility at the position.
If they are interested in an athletic safety prospect, the Commanders should consider Robert McDaniel. His athletic testing numbers compare favorably to some of the best safety prospects in the draft and they translate to his play on the field. Whether lined up in the slot, at the line of scrimmage, or outside, his athleticism shows along with his high IQ. There’s a little Talanoa Hufanga in his game, a player Adam Peters is familiar with. It might take time for him to adjust to a step up in competition from the FCS to the NFL, but McDaniel appears up to the challenge.