As we await the start of training camp in the National Football League, assuming there will be one, I thought now would be as good a time as any to point the spotlight on two players that have quietly slipped to the back end of the Chiefs roster.
Both of these players were a part of the 2018 draft class, the first under Brett Veach’s regime as Kansas City’s general manager. Defensive end Breeland Speaks was the very first draft pick of the Veach era, drafted 46th overall from Ole Miss and former Clemson linebacker Dorian O’Daniel was selected 100th overall.
Both were expected to be the building blocks that would rejuvenate Kansas City’s defense following the departures of All-Pros Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali.
Unfortunately, neither player has been able to necessarily meet those expectations thus far, instead, falling into absurdity and mediocrity.
Speaks was a pass rusher the coaching staff initially loved upon being drafted. Heading into year three, he returns after spending the 2019 campaign on IR but collected a mere 24 tackles in 16 games during his rookie season.
As for Dorian O’Daniel, many were very excited about his ability to play from sideline to sideline while at Clemson and his potential inside the Chiefs’ defensive unit as a hybrid defender that could play linebacker and defensive back. However, O’Daniel has struggled to gain the trust of the coaches to earn a starting job on defense, instead, playing mostly on special teams.
While Speaks deserves some benefit of the doubt for being inactive during his sophomore season, it’s difficult to say where or how he and O’Daniel fit into Kansas City’s plans going forward.
Referring to Kansas City’s roster as it sits right now, the Chiefs have five defensive ends that will be competing with Speaks for a spot on the depth chart under starters Frank Clark and Alex Okafor. That includes Taco Charlton, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Mike Danna, Demone Harris, and Tim Wright.
Of course, it’ll all come down to how many players Brett Veach and Andy Reid decide to keep at various positions but still, looking at this position group, its difficult to say Breeland Speaks makes the team.
If 2019’s roster is any indication, the Chiefs had four DEs to five DTs on their active roster at the time of the Super Bowl. Now, you don’t need to tell me that the process towards building every roster is different but it’s safe to say that of the five players listed, plus Speaks, three at most are going to make the team and unless Speaks does some impressive things on the practice field, I have my doubts he’s on the roster in 2020.
For Dorian O’Daniel, this season might be the biggest opportunity for the third-year linebacker to win a starting job on defense. Kansas City happens to be very thin at the position and the spot at middle linebacker is open for the taking. Also, there’s limited competition for the job with only Ben Niemann and the rookie Willie Gay as the prime competitors.
The good news for O’Daniel is 2020 likely won’t be a make or break year for him to keep his job. At the very least, the Chiefs still have him on a cheap rookie deal and they love him on special teams.
Speaks, on the other hand, could be on the chopping block if he doesn’t display some of the things he did while in college that initially got him drafted in the first place.
Nevertheless, 2020 is sure to be a big year for both players as we await the start of training camp in the NFL.
