2018 NFL Draft review: The Best, worst and biggest surprise picks for the Chiefs

The Arrowhead Addict staff recently took a poll of some contributing writers to talk about the best picks, the worst picks and the draft’s biggest surprise.

Before we fully turn the corner from the 2018 NFL Draft and what we all thought about it, we’ve got one last big review for you—a poll from our contributing writers who wanted to weigh in on the best, the worst and the biggest surprise from all of the Kansas City Chiefs picks.

What was interesting in seeing everyone’s opinions is how little consensus there is on what the Chiefs have done. Some of our writers think the draft was okay to even horrible. For the most part, the staff was positive about it, however, albeit with some caution or even confusion as to how it’s all going to come together given the radical nature of the defensive overhaul.

So here’s the AA staff breakdown of the best picks, the worst picks and the biggest surprise, as submitted by some of our writers.

THE BEST

Derrick Nnadi
This may not be the popular opinion, but I love this pick. The Chiefs have had a hard time finding a nose tackle that can really help against the run game since Dontari Poe injured his back. Staring in 2013 the Chiefs rush defense has ranked 22nd, 28th, 8th, 26th, and 25th. Other than 2014 the Chiefs have had a hard time against the run. I know some of you are thinking that it does not matter, The Los Angeles Charges had the 31st ranked rush defense last year and the third ranked scoring defense. If the opponents are not scoring pints it does not matter, right? Well if you look at playoff teams last year six of them were ranked top ten in stopping the run. With the number one ranked Philadelphia Eagles winning the Super Bowl.

Knowing this we can tell that stopping the run is still very important. Even if the NFL is turning more and more into a passing league each year. Enter in Derrick Nnadi, the 6’1 317 pound nose tackle out of Florida State University. Nnadi may be shorter than your typical NFL nose tackle, that did not stop him from gaining a All-ACC third team selection. Nnadi finished his senior season with 53 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, three and a half sacks, one pass defended, and one forced fumble. With Nnadi in the middle of the Chiefs defense we will hopefully see a leap in run stoppage this season. [Kody Latham]

He was a three-year starter at FSU, which gives fans a reason to feel confident, given his experience as a starter in college. In his pre-draft analysis, he is labeled as a one-dimensional run-stopper. While one-dimensional guys aren’t enticing, and hence why Nnadi fell in the draft, the Chiefs need a run-stopper. So if you’re going to get a guy who is one-dimensional, get a guy that can help the Chiefs improve in the area they struggle with the most. That is what they did with this pick. [Farzin Vousoughian]

Dorian O’Daniel
The Chiefs snagged one of the more versatile defenders in the draft in O’Daniel. He will likely play as a third safety, coming in on passing downs in place of either Ragland or Hitchens. Either way, he is an excellent tackler and will be an upgrade in coverage. Dorian is extremely athletic and I think he will quickly become a key cog in our defense. [Thomas Welte]

Tremon Smith
With Smith, the Chiefs got a project at corner, but he has the speed and length to be a difference maker long-term in the NFL at a position the Chiefs sorely needed. Further, he has the potential to return kicks immediately, something the Chiefs regressed at in 2017. Taking all this into account, they got him in the sixth round, after most scouts thought he would be drafted earlier. This pick has some potentially great value down the road. [Jordan Mannix]

I really like this guy. I definitely feel like he was a deep sleeper. Coming from a small school, there wasn’t much buzz about him; consequently, there’s not much tape to really gather much of an opinion about him. Smith definitely needs to know when, or rather, when not to jump routes. He almost always seemed to be the one trying to make plays, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The unfortunate thing about it, though, is that with the production, there will be a lot of times where it’ll backfire on him. For the place in the draft we got him, I definitely feel like this was a value pick. I can’t wait to see what he can do. [Jalon Dodson]

Armani Watts
Armani Watts is the player that I’m most excited about in this draft class, and he came in the 4th round. Armani Watts is a player that will energize your defense with his fire and motor. He is small, at 5’11” and 200 pounds, however he is not afraid to make a big play when needed. His size will cause some people to doubt him, but all the physical and athletic tools are there. Watts could come in and start Week 1. [Kris Weeden]