No. 81 | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Position: | Tight end | ||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||
Born: | Naperville, Illinois, U.S. | November 9, 1982||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||
Weight: | 245 lb (111 kg) | ||||||||
Career information | |||||||||
High school: | Naperville Central | ||||||||
College: | Wisconsin (2001–2005) | ||||||||
NFL draft: | 2006 / round: 4 / pick: 98 | ||||||||
Career history | |||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
|
Owen Gerald Daniels [1] (born November 9, 1982) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers, and was selected by the Houston Texans in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft. He is a two-time Pro Bowl selection. He also played for the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos. As a member of the Broncos, he helped the team win Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers.
Daniels attended Naperville Central High School in Naperville, Illinois. [2] As a starting quarterback on the football team, Daniels led Naperville Central to an undefeated IHSA Class 6A State Championship in 1999. [3] He earned Prep Football Report and PrepStar All-American honors and was named a Top 100 prospect nationally by PFR. As a junior, he completed 100 of 168 passing attempts for 1,750 yards and 17 touchdowns, against just one interception.[ citation needed ] He completed 30 of 35 passes for 562 yards and seven touchdowns in the opening two games of his senior year before a knee injury ended his season.[ citation needed ] He was also the starting center on his basketball team and a 22-foot (6.70m) long jumper on the track & field team. [4]
Daniels attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison and played for the Wisconsin Badgers football team under coach Barry Alvarez. [5] [6] At Wisconsin, he red-shirted his freshman year at the quarterback position. [7] Early in his college career, he was a back-up quarterback and played special teams, flanker, split end, and wingback. He eventually assumed the starting job at tight end for most of his final two seasons with the Badgers. During his career at Wisconsin, Daniels played in 43 games with 62 receptions for 852 yards (13.7 average). [8] He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science degree in atmospheric and oceanic sciences. [9]
Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 ft 3+3⁄8 in (1.91 m) | 253 lb (115 kg) | 31+3⁄4 in (0.81 m) | 9+1⁄2 in (0.24 m) | 4.65 s | 1.64 s | 2.71 s | 4.10 s | 6.87 s | 34.5 in (0.88 m) | 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) | 23 reps | |
All values from NFL Combine [10] [11] |
Daniels was selected in the fourth round with the 98th overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft. [12] He earned the nickname "The Weatherman" as he majored in meteorology and appeared on the Madison area news delivering the local forecast. [13]
In Week 2, against the Indianapolis Colts, Daniels scored his first professional touchdown on a 33-yard reception. [14] In Week 8, against the Tennessee Titans, Daniels had two receiving touchdowns in the 28–22 loss. [15] In the 2006 season, Daniels finished his rookie season with 34 receptions for 352 yards with five touchdowns. [16] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. [17]
Daniels completed the 2007 NFL season starting all 16 games with 63 receptions for 768 yards and three touchdowns. [18]
On November 2, 2008, Daniels had his "best game of his career", according to the Houston Chronicle , against the Minnesota Vikings with 11 receptions for 133 yards in Week 9. [19] On December 7, 2008, he and quarterback Matt Schaub combined for a 27-yard completion during a game-winning drive to defeat the Green Bay Packers in Week 14. [20] In Week 16, against the Oakland Raiders, he had seven receptions for 111 receiving yards in the 27–16 loss. [21] He completed the 2008 season with 70 receptions for 862 yards. [22] He earned a nomination to the Pro Bowl. [23] [24]
In Week 7, against the San Francisco 49ers, Daniels had seven receptions for 123 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in the 24–21 victory. [25] On November 1, 2009, in a game against the Buffalo Bills, Daniels tore his ACL and was placed on season ending injured reserve. [26] [27] In the 2009 season, Daniels finished with 40 receptions for 519 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns in eight games. [28]
In the 2010 season, Daniels finished with 38 receptions for 471 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in 11 games. [29]
On March 3, 2011, Daniels signed a four-year, $22 million contract extension with the Houston Texans. [30] He had seven receptions for 100 receiving yards in the 20–19 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14. [31] In the 2011 season, Daniels finished with 54 receptions for 677 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. [32]
In the 2012 season, Daniels recorded 62 receptions for 716 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns. [33] Daniels was named to the Pro Bowl for his performance in the 2012 season. [34] Daniels had a productive postseason. He had nine receptions for 91 yards in the Wild Card Round victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. [35] In the Divisional Round, he had nine receptions for 81 receiving yards in the 41–28 loss to the New England Patriots. [36]
Daniels started out the 2013 season with two receiving touchdowns in the 31–28 victory over the San Diego Chargers. [37] In the 2013 season, Daniels appeared in five games before going on Injured Reserve. [38] He totaled 24 receptions for 252 yards and three touchdowns. [39]
On March 11, 2014, Daniels was released by the team. [40] [41]
Daniels agreed on a one-year contract worth $1 million with the Baltimore Ravens and joined head coach John Harbaugh on April 3, 2014. [42] Following a season ending injury to starter Dennis Pitta, Daniels took over the starting role and amassed 48 receptions for 527 yards and four touchdowns. [43]
On March 10, 2015, Daniels signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Denver Broncos and joined head coach Gary Kubiak. [44] Daniels played his entire NFL career under the tutelage of Kubiak (head coach in Houston and Denver, offensive coordinator in Baltimore) and tight ends coach Brian Pariani. Daniels started the season with only 85 receiving yards and was not a large factor until the game against the Green Bay Packers with three catches for 44 yards. Daniels had six receptions for 102 receiving yards and a touchdown in a 24–27 loss to Indianapolis Colts. [45]
Overall, Daniels finished the 2015 season with 46 catches for 517 yards and three touchdowns. [46] The Broncos had a 12–4 record and earned the #1 seed for the AFC playoffs. [47] Denver defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first playoff game by a score of 23–16 in the Divisional Round. Daniels had two catches for ten yards. [48] In the AFC Championship against the defending champion New England Patriots, Daniels scored two touchdowns to help the Broncos defeat the Patriots by a score of 20–18 to advance to Super Bowl 50 where they beat the Carolina Panthers 24–10. [49] In the victory over the Patriots, Daniels caught the last touchdown pass that quarterback Peyton Manning ever threw in the NFL. [50] In Super Bowl 50, Daniels had one catch for 18 yards on the Broncos' opening drive in the 24–10 victory. Daniels's catch helped the Broncos get in position to score a field goal for the first points of the game. [51]
On March 8, 2016, the Broncos released Daniels after one season with the team. [52]
After his time with the Broncos, Daniels did not sign with another NFL team.
Legend | |
---|---|
Won the Super Bowl | |
Bold | Career high |
Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Fumbles | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
2006 | HOU | 14 | 12 | 34 | 352 | 10.4 | 33T | 5 | 0 | 0 |
2007 | HOU | 16 | 16 | 63 | 768 | 12.2 | 29 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
2008 | HOU | 16 | 16 | 70 | 862 | 12.3 | 35 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
2009 | HOU | 8 | 8 | 40 | 519 | 13.0 | 44 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
2010 | HOU | 11 | 10 | 38 | 471 | 12.4 | 31 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
2011 | HOU | 15 | 15 | 54 | 677 | 12.5 | 34 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
2012 | HOU | 15 | 14 | 62 | 716 | 11.5 | 39T | 6 | 0 | 0 |
2013 | HOU | 5 | 5 | 24 | 252 | 10.5 | 28 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
2014 | BAL | 15 | 13 | 48 | 527 | 11.0 | 39 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
2015 | DEN | 16 | 16 | 46 | 517 | 11.2 | 37 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Career | 131 | 125 | 479 | 5,661 | 11.8 | 44 | 36 | 7 | 4 |
Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Fumbles | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
2011 | HOU | 2 | 2 | 4 | 55 | 13.8 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2012 | HOU | 2 | 2 | 18 | 172 | 9.6 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2014 | BAL | 2 | 2 | 8 | 111 | 13.9 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2015 | DEN | 3 | 3 | 5 | 61 | 12.2 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Career | 9 | 9 | 35 | 399 | 11.4 | 24 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Owen has been married to his wife, Angela, since 2013. The couple met at the Blondes vs. Brunettes charity football game. The couple had their first date in Ibiza and it is also where Owen proposed to her. Together they had their first child in 2015, Henry. [53] He makes regular television appearances as an expert discussing the impacts of weather on American football. [54]
Anquan Kenmile Boldin Sr. is an American former football wide receiver who played for 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2003 NFL draft. He also played for the Baltimore Ravens, the San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions.
Marvin Darnell Harrison Sr. is an American former professional football wide receiver who played 13 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL), playing much of it with quarterback Peyton Manning. He played college football for the Syracuse Orange and was selected by the Colts in the first round of the 1996 NFL draft.
Antonio Ethan Gates is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for the San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers during his entire career in the National Football League (NFL). He was named to the Pro Bowl eight times and was a six-time All-Pro selection. He retired on January 14, 2020, after 16 years with the Chargers.
Reginald Wayne is an American former professional football wide receiver who played 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, and was selected by the Colts in the first round of the 2001 NFL draft with the 30th overall pick. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Wayne was a member of the Colts' Super Bowl XLI winning team over the Chicago Bears. He ranks second in Colts' franchise history to Marvin Harrison in major receiving categories: receptions, receiving yards, targets, and receiving touchdowns. On December 14, 2014, Wayne played in both his 209th game and his 142nd win as a member of the Colts, breaking the franchise records set by Peyton Manning.
Andre Lamont Johnson is an American former professional football wide receiver who played 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Houston Texans. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, and was selected by the Texans third overall in the 2003 NFL draft. He is 11th all-time in NFL career receptions, and in NFL receiving yards. Johnson holds nearly every Texans receiving record. He was also a member of the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans.
Wesley Carter Welker is an American professional football coach and former wide receiver who is the wide receivers coach for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). Welker played in the NFL for 12 seasons, most notably with the New England Patriots. Regarded as one of the greatest undrafted players of all time, he holds the NFL record for receptions by an undrafted player. Welker played college football at Texas Tech University, where he won the Mosi Tatupu Award and was a first-team All-Big 12 as a senior.
Jamaal RaShaad Jones Charles is an American former professional football running back who played 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Kansas City Chiefs. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns, where he won the 2006 Rose Bowl, and was selected by the Chiefs in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft.
Joel Clifford Dreessen is a former American football tight end. He was selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL draft. He played college football at Colorado State. Dreessen also played for the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos.
Eric Thomas Decker is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football and college baseball for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft. After four seasons with the Broncos, Decker played for the New York Jets for three years, then the Tennessee Titans for one season.
Demaryius Antwon Thomas was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons, primarily with the Denver Broncos. He played college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, earning third-team All-American honors in 2009. He was selected by the Broncos in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. With Denver, Thomas made five Pro Bowls and won Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers. He was also a member of the Houston Texans, New England Patriots, and New York Jets.
Emmanuel Niamiah Sanders is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the SMU Mustangs, and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft. Sanders won Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos, and also played for the San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, and Buffalo Bills.
Eugene Marquis "T. Y." Hilton is an American professional football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football for the FIU Panthers and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft. Hilton has also played for the Dallas Cowboys.
Rex Burkhead is a former American football running back. He played college football at Nebraska and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL draft. After four seasons with the Bengals, Burkhead spent his next four seasons with the New England Patriots, where he appeared in consecutive Super Bowls and won Super Bowl LIII. Burkhead joined the Houston Texans in 2021, spending two seasons with them before retiring in 2024.
DeAndre Rashaun Hopkins, nicknamed "DHop" and "Nuk", is an American professional football wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and was selected by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft. Hopkins is a five-time Pro Bowler and has also been named to five All-Pro teams. He also played for the Arizona Cardinals and the Tennessee Titans.
Jeff Heuerman is an American former professional football tight end. He played college football for Ohio State, and in 2015 won the CFP National Championship. He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft, where he played until 2019.
Phillip Howard Dorsett II is an American professional football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. He has also played for the New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, and Denver Broncos.
Joshua Reynolds is an American professional football wide receiver for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Texas A&M and holds the school's season receiving touchdown record with 13, set in 2014. Reynolds was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft.
Courtland Sutton is an American professional football wide receiver for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at SMU, and was selected by the Broncos in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft.
Joshua Cordell Jacobs is an American professional football running back for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft. Jacobs rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons, while being named to NFL All-Rookie Team in 2019 and to his first Pro Bowl in 2020. In 2022, he led the league in rushing yards with 1,653 and became the first Raider since 1985 to surpass 2,000 scrimmage yards. After five years with the Raiders, Jacobs signed with the Packers in 2024.
Dominique Stephon "Nico" Collins is an American professional football wide receiver for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines and was selected by the Texans in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft.