Who will lose their Chiefs roster spot to Morris Claiborne?
By Scott Loring
Dorian O’Daniel / Reggie Ragland, linebackers
The veteran linebackers have found themselves in a reserve role thus far in 2019. Two very different players with different skill sets, O’Daniel and Ragland were both viewed as potential cut candidates when the season began. The former has participated almost completely on special teams thus far, while the latter has only been active twice and can only be used in early-down situations.
O’Daniel was once thought of as a dime linebacker with speed, like a potential Donnie Edwards clone. But he has been leapfrogged by (surprise!) Ben Niemann for every defensive snap. Niemann and safety Daniel Sorensen have been used frequently in dime packages. O’Daniel appears to have strong value as a special teamer, but will that save him?
Ragland, meanwhile, was active for the Chiefs’ home opener against Baltimore, but received single-digit snaps despite the Ravens’ vaunted rush offense. He doesn’t play special teams. If the Chiefs place so little value in Ragland’s skill set against the Ravens, against what other NFL offenses would they ever use him?