*****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

[mcaj22]

I like that this guy could replace Sorensen but I hope that now doesn't mean they will have Sorensen then replace Ron Parker as the single high safety. What a disaster that would be.

[New World Order]

At least we won't have to look at Zombo and Sorensen on the field at the same time anymore.

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

I like that this guy could replace Sorensen but I hope that now doesn't mean they will have Sorensen then replace Ron Parker as the single high safety. What a disaster that would be.

I 100% expect Sorensen to start at FS at this point.

If the Chiefs go FS in 4, then maybe there'd be some sort of competition there but I have my doubts. I see Armani Watts, Dane Cruikshank, and Jordan Whitehead as kind of that last tier of guys that might be able to start out the gate

[New World Order]

Originally Posted by kccrow

I 100% expect Sorensen to start at FS at this point.

If the Chiefs go FS in 4, then maybe there'd be some sort of competition there but I have my doubts. I see Armani Watts, Dane Cruikshank, and Jordan Whitehead as kind of that last tier of guys that might be able to start out the gate

Surely there is a cheap veteran we can bring in on a 1-year deal.

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by kccrow

I 100% expect Sorensen to start at FS at this point.

If the Chiefs go FS in 4, then maybe there'd be some sort of competition there but I have my doubts. I see Armani Watts, Dane Cruikshank, and Jordan Whitehead as kind of that last tier of guys that might be able to start out the gate

I will take anybody at this point; draft pick, FA, UDFA, anything that adds competition to a Sorensen/Murray warm body FS battle. Anything is better than those two.

[kysirsoze]

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

I didn’t understand any pick tonight. I’m hoping Dorsey wasn’t the brains in the operation.

I guess you haven't been keeping up with the Brown's draft.

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by New World Order

Surely there is a cheap veteran we can bring in on a 1-year deal.

I'd like to see Tre Boston brought in. I think his play last year is worth seeing if he can take it a step further.

[ForeverChiefs58]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

I like that this guy could replace Sorensen but I hope that now doesn't mean they will have Sorensen then replace Ron Parker as the single high safety. What a disaster that would be.

Veach sees O’Daniel as an outside linebacker in dime packages and a member on all special teams. Veach said the Chiefs had O’Daniel as the top special-teams player in the draft.

“He’ll be in the linebacker room and he’ll be on the field on all passing downs,” Veach said. “We think he can develop into a (inside) linebacker.”

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl...#storylink=cpy

[Chargem]

This is basically bolstering the secondary, which is what we wanted. A coverage guy to play in dime. Teams are in dime so often that he can have an impact here if he's as good as some expect.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Chiefs don't draft a safety. They added Golden and maybe they like McQuay more than we know, but considering the vets available on the market it's not like one has to be drafted to improve the safety group.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Mother****erJones

That’s why I said ish. There’s multiple people saying it as well when they saw some clips

I wasn’t picking on you. It was more of a response to everyone that said it. DJ was otherworldly.

[Mother****erJones]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

I wasn’t picking on you. It was more of a response to everyone that said it. DJ was otherworldly.

It’s all good I know. DJ was my favorite player in that draft.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by kccrow

I 100% expect Sorensen to start at FS at this point.

If the Chiefs go FS in 4, then maybe there'd be some sort of competition there but I have my doubts. I see Armani Watts, Dane Cruikshank, and Jordan Whitehead as kind of that last tier of guys that might be able to start out the gate

Leon Mcquay.

[OKchiefs]

Just sign Vaccaro.

[O.city]

I like this pick a lot.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

Yet another hybrid choice, the Veach template seems to be taking shape... build front to back, and stock it with multi-purpose players

This.

He clearly didn't wait until the Senior bowl/Combine and then just target the freaks that stood out...