The Kansas City Chiefs’ rookies didn’t get much playing time against the Los Angeles Chargers, but they made the most of what little time they had.
It’s going to take a bit of time to see what the Kansas City Chiefs rookies can do in 2018.
The six members of the 2018 draft class combined for just 40 total defensive snaps, with rookie outside linebacker Breeland Speaks seeing the most action with 19 defensive snaps. Even though the rookies didn’t see many snaps, they were able to make do with what they had. They were relatively quiet on paper, but sometimes the players who make the biggest impact aren’t the ones with the superb stat sheet.
In our season-opening Rookie Report, let’s take a look at each member of the draft class from Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
DT Derrick Nnadi
Snap count: 18 defensive snaps
More from Arrowhead Addict
- Former Chiefs cornerback in legal trouble in Las Vegas
- Chiefs Kingdom: Get ready to break contract news
- Chiefs news: Travis Kelce wants to host fan ‘chug-off’ in Germany
- Podcast: Breaking down the Chiefs biggest roster battles
- KC Chiefs send Dave Merritt to NFL coaching accelerator
Analysis: Nnadi looked decent in his performance, but he could benefit from working with his hands. He wasn’t able to shake past the offensive lineman on nearly any of his snaps, which certainly doesn’t help with applying pressure on the quarterback. One thing I love about Nnadi is that he always aims to get better. He has outstanding potential and has impressed with what he’s done thus far.
Nnadi dropped in draft stock due to a poor combine performance, which could quite possibly be the result of an unspecified injury he suffered in early 2018. It appears the Chiefs may have something special on their hands, though. If Nnadi is able to develop as the Chiefs expect him to, he has a chance to make a huge impact for the Chiefs defensively. Toward the end of one play, he was able to get a bit of pressure on Philip Rivers, but the ball had almost already left his hand. He made a great push to the receiver, though, in an attempt to stop him. The receiver was already down, but that just shows great initiative by the rookie defensive tackle.
ROLB Breeland Speaks
Snap count: 19 defensive snaps
Analysis: What of the most interesting things I noticed about Speaks was his inept ability to sniff out the run. While he didn’t make for any tackles, he surely was able to set some up for his teammates. In such a team-oriented game as this, it is pinnacle that you work together to set each other up to make plays. Speaks lined up as a right defensive end on more than one occasion, which allowed the Chiefs to put outside linebacker Dee Ford on the right.
On one play, in particular, Speaks was able to hustle all the way to the left side of the line of scrimmage from the right defensive end spot. He helped take Melvin Gordon down, which set the Los Angeles Chargers up for a 3rd-and-short. With his large frame, it will be interesting to see how things pan out with Speaks taking interior snaps next to Ford.
CB Tremon Smith
ST snap count: 6
Defensive snap count: 0
Analysis: Smith, unfortunately, did not see any snaps defensively. It appears the Chiefs want to see more out of the rookie cornerback before they trust him enough to put him out there defensively. With the subpar performance of cornerback Orlando Scandrick, Smith’s defensive regular season debut for the Chiefs could be sooner rather than later. He’s a tall, fast defensive back and could keep up with nearly anybody. If he’s able to work on his coverage game, he’s another player who could end up being a steal and a break out player this year.
S Armani Watts
ST snap count: 15
Defensive snap count: 3
Analysis: Watts didn’t see much production on the defensive side of the ball, only seeing 3 defensive snaps. I’ve been very high on Watts since the Chiefs drafted him in April. I think he definitely has a chance to make an impact for the team and should have no problem doing so if he’s given the opportunity. Watts had 2 interceptions in the preseason, both coming in the final week against the Green Bay Packers. He’s a ballhawk and that’s exactly what the Chiefs need.
ILB Dorian O’Daniel
ST snap count: 20
Defensive snap count: 0
Analysis: Inside linebacker Dorian O’Daniel found a home on the special teams Sunday afternoon after playing 67% of all special teams snaps. It appears he’s taken Terrance Smith’s role as a primary special teamer, taking no defensive snaps throughout the game against the Chargers. I expect O’Daniel to make an impact on special teams for the duration of most of the year, possibly being worked in on defense on occasion.
Overall, the rookies were not given much of a chance to show what they can provide. The Chiefs selected four defensive rookies and one offensive rookie. Khalil McKenzie, who was drafted by the Chiefs as an offensive guard after playing defensive tackle in college, saw no offensive snaps. Hopefully, though, the Chiefs are able to get their rookies more and more playing time, allowing them to make an impact for the team.