Chiefs pick OLB Dorian O’Daniel out of Clemson in third round

The Kansas City Chiefs selected Clemson OLB Dorian O’Daniel with the 100th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. This means the Chiefs went all defense with their first three picks -- two linebackers (O’Daniel, Breeland Speaks) and a defensive lineman (Derrick Nnadi). They have four more picks on Saturday.

DORIAN O’DANIEL

6’ | 223 lbs | Clemson

Projected Draft Range: day three

Games watched: Alabama, Virginia Tech, Ohio State (2016)

Prospect grade (out of 100): 70.8

I would take him in the: fourth round

One sentence bio: Fifth year senior, Senior Bowl invitee and Maryland native.

One sentence scouting report: Hybrid linebacker/safety who needs work in coverage but is active and productive when he gets to go downhill.

One play:

Reaction: O’Daniel will likely profile as more of a box safety role for the Chiefs unless they are making significant schematic changes. O’Daniel flashes the ability to click and close on plays behind the line of scrimmage out in the slot. He’s probably better seeing everything in front of him, allowing him to get down hill.

His three cone drill and 20-yard shuttle were exceptional for someone his size, so there are some interesting athletic traits for him to work with. He needs to continue to develop in coverage, and got lost/crack blocked on too many occasions.

I don’t completely understand what schematic adjustments might be happening in Kansas City based on these selection, but they do appear to be making some interesting adjustments to their personnel and perhaps what they’re trying to accomplish defensively. I don’t hate the pick, but also don’t completely understand the direction they’re going.

Chiefs 2018 draft picks

Round 2 (46) LB Breeland Speaks | Kent Swanson’s reaction: We made fun of the Raiders for trading back from 10 to 15 for pennies on the dollar. The Chiefs just significantly overpaid on the draft trade chart to move up for an athletic, but developmental interior defensive lineman. I’m not sure what scared the Chiefs into this decision. Maybe they were desperate to get rid of that third round selection that was scheduled to get free pizza for a year.

Round 3 (75) DT Derrick Nnadi | Kent Swanson’s reaction: This move is a clear indication that the Chiefs think they need to stop the run. Nnadi’s grade dropped for me because of poor athletic testing. He was a late third round grade on tape. For what he is, he’s a good player.

Round 3 (100) LB Dorian O’Daniel

Round 4 (124)

Round 6 (196)

Round 7 (233)

Round 7 (243)

Day 2: Rounds 2 & 3

When: Friday April 27th at 7 p.m. Eastern

Time per pick: 7 minutes for round 2; 5 minutes for round 3

TV channels: ESPN 2, FOX, & NFL Network

Day 3: Rounds 4 through 7

When: Saturday April 28th at 12 p.m. Eastern

Time per pick: 5 minutes for rounds 4-6; 4 minutes for round 7

TV channels: ESPN, ABC, & NFL Network