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KC Chiefs free agency: The case of super special-teamer Dorian O’Daniel

By Jacob Milham

Jan 12, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Dorian O'Daniel (44) against the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round playoff football game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Dorian O'Daniel (44) against the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round playoff football game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 12, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Dorian O’Daniel (44) celebrates with tight end Deon Yelder (82) against the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round playoff football game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Dorian O’Daniel (44) celebrates with tight end Deon Yelder (82) against the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round playoff football game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Why bring him back?

The biggest reason to bring O’Daniel back isn’t a statistic or circumstance, it is a person. Assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Dave Toub to be precise.

It is no secret that Toub has a few select guys he tabs for the final 53-man roster. Wide receiver Marcus Kemp, safety Armani Watts, and O’Daniel are recent players who have benefitted from this. O’Daniel has been a nearly exclusive special teams player since his sophomore season. O’Daniel played in 26% and 61% of defensive and special teams snaps, respectively, during his rookie year. After that, everything changed.

Snap Counts Table
Def. Def. ST S ST S
Year Num Pct Num Pct
2018 302 26% 282 61%
2019 6 1% 291 78%
2020 9 1% 219 72%
2021 24 2% 339 79%
Career Snaps 341  7.5% 1131 72.5%

Toub has guys he likes on special teams, and O’Daniel has been his poster child. But earmarking a handful of roster spots for special teams stalwarts is the price of having a solid special teams unit. Several teams, most notably the Green Bay Packers, learned how important that unit is the hard way this season.

Also, O’Daniel has not looked bad in limited snaps since his rookie year. He has natural speed and instincts good for man coverage and blowing up plays. This season, he saw 22 defensive snaps against the Pittsburgh Steelers. O’Daniel recorded four combined tackles, plus a great stop on third down in the red zone.

O’Daniel has not looked bad in limited snaps. The Chiefs could certainly do worse. Looking at you, Ben Niemann.

Why let him leave?

There may be some behind-the-scenes decisions only the Chiefs know, but why commit long-term money to a special-teams specialist? Kickers, punters, and long snappers are one thing. Other than that, players should be able to competently play either defense or offense. O’Daniel may or may not be a bad linebacker, but ultimately this coaching staff has deemed he is the last resort.

That depth spot could be used by either a veteran leader or a cheaper replacement. O’Daniel will not be the one replacing Hitchens, Neimann, or anyone on defense, that is apparent. He has a ceiling on what he brings to the gridiron. Why shouldn’t the Chiefs take a swing on a younger, cheaper player in the draft who does not have that ceiling? Likewise, there are several free-agent options at linebacker this offseason.

If the Chiefs do move on from Anthony Hitchens, they would be wise to allocate funds for a veteran linebacker rather than resigning O’Daniel.

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