[3] McDaniel's professional career began with the Carolina Panthers, who selected him with the 111th pick of the fourth round in the 1996 NFL draft.
As a defensive back and special teams standout, he spent seven years in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers (1996, 2002), Indianapolis Colts (1997), Miami Dolphins (1998), New York Giants (1999–2001), and the Arizona Cardinals (2003).
A week prior to Super Bowl XXXV, McDaniel was named the New York Giants Defensive Player-of-the-Game in a 41–0 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship Game.
After ending his player career, McDaniel took time away from the game to be with his newborn son until the 2006 season, when he volunteered in the Akron Zips football office.
From 2007 to 2009, he served as the Akron Zips football Cornerback Coach, guiding two players to All Mid-American Conference honors.