Senior NFL Writer
Daniel Rios is a Senior NFL Writer at EssentiallySports who specializes in trade and roster analysis, along with team projections and the season's major storylines.
A graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, Daniel has written for Sports Illustrated, the LA Daily News, and Sports360AZ. During his time at Arizona State, he covered major events including the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and the NFL Combine, gaining hands-on experience at some of football's biggest stages.
A lifelong football fan, Daniel has a particular passion for the NFL Draft. He has hosted live draft shows alongside NFL legend Brian Urlacher and produced coverage around the event, and he brings that same energy to his daily reporting for EssentiallySports.
Ranking the NFL’s 10 Best Offensive Playcallers Entering the 2026 Season
Which NFL teams have the best play callers driving their offensive success? Here are the top 10 playcallers heading into the 2026 season
Ranking Every Miami Dolphins First-Round Draft Picks of the Last Decade
How have the Dolphins drafted in the past decade? Here are their last 10 players taken in the first-round ranked from best to worst
Ranking the 10 Best NFL Players of Larry Fitzgerald’s Era
Where does Larry Fitzgerald rank amongst the players of his era? NFL Writer Daniel Rios ranks him in the top 10
The Night Larry Fitzgerald Became Immortal: How He Sent the Cardinals to the Super Bowl
What was Larry Fitzgerald's biggest game in his career. He has a ton of options to choose from, but one game in the 2008 season stands out
Which 2023 First-Round Picks Have Already Outplayed Their Draft Slot
NFL Writer Daniel Rios gives seven players from the 2023 draft class who have already outplayed their draft position
Five NFL Super Bowl Contenders and the One X-Factor That Could Define Their Season
NFL teams typically have important depth players who drive them to championships. Which players for these five teams can be X-factors?
NFL Players Who Could Still Be Traded Before the 2026 Season Begins
NFL writer Daniel Rios gives 7 players who could still be traded before the 2026 NFL season. Which players could have new homes?
2027 NFL Draft OT Rankings: Jordan Seaton Leads the Top 5 Offensive Tackles
NFL writer Daniel Rios ranks his top 5 offensive tackles in the 2027 NFL Draft class. It's a hyped up group, so who made the top 5?
Jeffery Simmons Extension Proves Titans Still Have One of NFL’s Best Defensive Tackles
Jeffery Simmons got a new contract today, making him one of the highest-paid defenders in the league. Does he deserve it?
Where Does Luke Kuechly Rank Among the Best NFL Players of His Era?
Luke Kuechly played among some of the best players in NFL history during his era, but where does he rank among them?
Which NFL Coaches Are Coaching for Their Jobs in 2026?
Which coaches need to have a good 2026 season to stay on the sidelines? Here are 6 options who are on the hot seat
Luke Kuechly’s Biggest Game: The 24-Tackle Masterpiece That Defined a Hall of Fame Career
Luke Kuechly was one of the greatest linebackers we've ever see touch an NFL field. This performance in the regular season helped start that
