2018 NFL Draft: Kansas City Chiefs pick Clemson linebacker Dorian O’Daniel
By Matt Conner
The Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up the third round with the selection of linebacker Dorian O’Daniel out of Clemson.
With the final pick in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft at No. 100 overall, the Kansas City Chiefs have added a linebacker by drafting Dorian O’Daniel out of Clemson.
O’Daniel led the Tigers this season with 103 total tackles and 5 sacks. He’s an undersized linebacker who can also potentially switch out to safety as a hybrid player in the mold of Dan Sorensen, Su’a Cravens and the like. It will be interesting to see exactly how the Chiefs use him on the field.
If he’s primarily used inside as a linebacker, the Chiefs have certainly added even more changes to a unit that’s already been completely remade under Brett Veach. The Chiefs allowed Derrick Johnson to walk and become a free agent and signed former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens to serious money ($9 million per year average). They also traded with the Buffalo Bills for Reggie Ragland last preseason, which gives them a brand new starting tandem in the middle.
O’Daniel assumedly provides depth as well as another option as a very quick player who can slip in on a blitz or play in a nickel situation closer to the box. Could he supplant Sorensen? That will be interesting to see how they use both moving forward.
The Chiefs already added a couple new prospects to the team on Friday night with the selection of defensive end/outside linebacker Breeland Speaks in the second round and defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi earlier in the third round.
The Chiefs have five picks left in the 2018 draft, including one in the fourth round, one in the sixth round and two more in the seventh round. The draft finishes up on Saturday with Rounds 4-7.