The 2018 draft class is an infamous failure for the Kansas City Chiefs. A year after the Chiefs drafted quarterback Patrick Mahomes, general manager Brett Veach fell flat. That year’s top selection, defensive end Breeland Speaks, was an absolute bust. Defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi was that year’s best selection by the Chiefs, but the class set a low bar. Nnadi has appeared in 64 games during his Chiefs tenure, yet there is another player who has appeared in 58 games. Linebacker Dorian O’Daniel somehow holds that distinction.
The former Clemson Tiger was the 100th overall selection in that draft, following Speaks and Nnadi. He came out of Clemson with several question marks, namely his lack of linebacker size and starting experience. Usually, players with glaring issues are stellar players in other areas. O’Daniel’s was special teams. NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein described him as a “madman on special teams” in his draft profile.
“He may not have the tools to become a quality full-time starter at linebacker, but his outstanding career as a special teams cover talent could be enough to earn him a roster spot and a place in the league for years to come,” Zierlein said.
A look at the upcoming free agency of Dorian O’Daniel and what it means for the Chiefs.
Kansas City has certainly leveraged those talents, with O’Daniel logging 1,131 special teams snaps in his career. However, that outpaced his 341 defensive snaps in four years. What makes it worse is O’Daniels 39 defensive snaps in three years in a unit that could utilize him.
Rookie defensive end Joshua Kaindoh logged more snaps in his first year than O’Daniel has in the past three. Not great by any stretch. Nonetheless, O’Daniel’s rookie contract has run its course. Will the 27-year-old ride his special teams into a new contract?
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.
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.
The final play. Dorian O’Daniel drops into his zone. He spots the crossing route. Times it and lays the hit. #JacobsEyeInTheSky #Chiefs41 pic.twitter.com/9poLKFokyV
— Nick Jacobs (@Jacobs71) December 30, 2021
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.
Recommendation
The Kansas City Chiefs defense and special teams are not the primary reason for their season being over. Now, there are still spots on the defense that need major overhauling. The linebacker corps is arguably the most stable right now, even with many predicted changes. Hitchens is likely out, as well as Niemann. There is an argument for continuity, keeping O’Daniel around because he knows defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s system. Yet, fans cannot see how well he knows the system in so few reps.
Solid special teams play has been a Kansas City calling card for quite some time. It is a matter of pride and performance for Toub and the Chiefs. Players like O’Daniel quietly play an important role in the unit’s success. He is a glue guy for the unit and certainly an example for younger players to follow.
It may not be sexy, but O’Daniel should be back on a cheap deal. For any other team, he would have to prove defensive chops to have a chance at the team. For Kansas City, the coaches know who he is and what he brings. If he does return, there is a clear case for him to see more defensive resp to make any financial commitment more palatable.
Prediction
O’Daniel returns on a two-year likely-minimum deal, worth no more than $3 million total. Even if a deal is done, O’Daniel would still be a bubble player entering the 2022 season.