*****The Dorian O'Daniel Thread*****

[Dante84]

More to come...

Overview
Athletic linebackers like O'Daniel are earning high marks from NFL scouts because they need to cover the middle of the field in passing situations. ACC coaches recognized O'Daniel's talent in 2017, naming him second-team all-conference after he led the Tigers with 103 tackles, including 11.5 for loss and five sacks, as well as three pass breakups in 14 starts. One of the top outside linebacker recruits in the nation after an excellent high school career in the Washington, D.C. metro area (all-state in Maryland with 1,307 rushing yards, 18 touchdowns as senior, 16.5 tackles for loss, five sacks as junior). O'Daniel redshirted in 2013, and then got into the action regularly as a freshman, starting once and leading the team with 13 special teams tackles (had 31 total stops, sack) in 12 games played. He once again paced the team with 19 special teams stops in 2015, and was credited with 32 total tackles in 15 games as a reserve. Given a chance to play more on defense as a junior (10 starts in 15 games), O'Daniel used his quickness and tenacious nature to make 60 stops, 10 for loss, and 2.5 sacks.

What O'Daniel lacks in size and speed at the linebacker spot, he makes up for with production and consistency. 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.

Strengths

• Madman on special teams
• Finished career with 48 special teams tackles and most of them in kick coverage
• Has a gift for playing past kick return blocks and maintaining focus on the returner
• Technically sound as tackler
• Sees what he hits and drives upper body into target while wrapping to finish
• Possesses agility for lateral tackles against cutback runs
• Hustles to contain against perimeter runs
• Offers versatility
• Played near the line and matched up on slot targets
• Redirects routes with force
• Reads and squeezes from zone
• Finished 2017 with seven passes defensed including two pick-six interceptions

Weaknesses

• Just one season as starter
• Has the frame of a big safety, but is an average athlete in space
• Is a little sluggish in his directional change and needs a runway to get accelerate to top speed
• Pursuit speed is below par
• Often blocked by smaller slot players against spread rushing attacks
• Needs to prove he can beat blocks near the line of scrimmage on next level
• Gives up separation when matched in man coverage
• Plays upright and needs to do better job of anticipating routes

[Willie Lanier]

Originally Posted by staylor26

Man, this guy has a chance to be really good in 2019. He showed some flashes and will really benefit from the new staff and scheme change. Matt House is going to turn him into a stud.

I really hope you're right. I wasn't a fan of the pick at the time (too small to be a linebacker) and I'm still not sold on him now...

He seems like the kind of guy that could flourish under a new regime but you can't teach size, and he screams dime safety to me...

I'm rooting for the kid, but he still looks too frail to dissuade me from my doubts about his ability to be an effective lb

(I fully understand if this comes off as hypocrisy considering I championed DJ Alexander in the past, but I prefer to look at it as growth - I learned from my mistake)

Anyways, in the grand scheme of things, our trajectory is undeniably up; so if arguing a point about a role player is even worth the argument, I'd say we're in a good place regarding the state of the franchise

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by Willie Lanier

I really hope you're right. I wasn't a fan of the pick at the time (too small to be a linebacker) and I'm still not sold on him now...

He seems like the kind of guy that could flourish under a new regime but you can't teach size, and he screams dime safety to me...

I'm rooting for the kid, but he still looks too frail to dissuade me from my doubts about his ability to be an effective lb

(I fully understand if this comes off as hypocrisy considering I championed DJ Alexander in the past, but I prefer to look at it as growth - I learned from my mistake)

Anyways, in the grand scheme of things, our trajectory is undeniably up; so if arguing a point about a role player is even worth the argument, I'd say we're in a good place regarding the state of the franchise

He’s the same size as Deion Jones.

[O.city]

I wish he was just a little bigger and better getting off blocks so he could play mlb

[Willie Lanier]

Originally Posted by staylor26

He’s the same size as Deion Jones.

Yeah but they are far apart in their physical abilities...

I'm not trying to stifle your excitement regarding his potential, especially in a different scheme, but that's a fairly homeristic point of view

[Willie Lanier]

Ok just looked up combine #s and yes, they're not ridiculously skewed in one way or another, but as far as film goes, Deion Jones is in a different stratosphere as D O D

[ILChief]

I'm looking forward to seeing how him, Ward, Watts, and even Speaks look with more experience and a new/more aggressive scheme.

[Mr_Tomahawk]

Was a big fan of DoD when we drafted him.

A tweener in terms to an ideal position fit, but just an absolute athlete and baller.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by Willie Lanier

Yeah but they are far apart in their physical abilities...

I'm not trying to stifle your excitement regarding his potential, especially in a different scheme, but that's a fairly homeristic point of view

What exactly did I say that makes it a “homeristic POV”?

You’re acting like I said he’s the next Deion Jones. I was just pointing out that size wasn’t quite the issue that you were making it out to be.

[staylor26]

I loved Deion Jones coming out but even I know his film wasn’t THAT great.

If it were, he would’ve been a 1st round pick with his speed.

[Chargem]

I know people have banged on about stopping the run and all that, but it's a passing league and a guy like DOD can fill a really important role exactly as he is, I don't think he needs to add any weight. He just needs more experience to not make the mental errors.

I very much doubt he's a superstar but he can play an important role to an above league average standard and we only spent a late 3rd on him. It's not a home run but it's a solid stand up double to left field.

[Mr_Tomahawk]

#Chiefs highest graded linebacker: Dorian O’Daniel with a 60.3 overall grade https://t.co/7hxpQEHVHs

— PFF KC Chiefs (@PFF_Chiefs) February 17, 2019

[Chargem]

Originally Posted by Mr_Tomahawk

#Chiefs highest graded linebacker: Dorian O’Daniel with a 60.3 overall grade https://t.co/7hxpQEHVHs

— PFF KC Chiefs (@PFF_Chiefs) February 17, 2019

Both Perryman and Marshall on that list are free agents I think. Maybe bring Perryman in for a look?

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by Chargem

Both Perryman and Marshall on that list are free agents I think. Maybe bring Perryman in for a look?

Eh for that just stick with Hitchens at MLB, DOD at WLB, and draft or sign a SLB.

I’d love to see Barr - Hitchens - DOD

[Chargem]

Originally Posted by staylor26

Eh for that just stick with Hitchens at MLB, DOD at WLB, and draft or sign a SLB.

I’d love to see Barr - Hitchens - DOD

I'd rather have Barr but no idea what kind of green that would cost.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by Chargem

I'd rather have Barr but no idea what kind of green that would cost.

Yea that might be too much, but either way after spending on Hitchens last year I wouldn’t spend money on a LB this year unless it’s him because he can also rush the passer.