Kansas City Chiefs Rookies Forecast

By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell

Solid Starter

Derrick Nnadi, DT, Florida State – Round 3
The Chiefs signed restricted free agent nose tackle Xavier Williams from Arizona this offseason, so Nnadi won’t be pressed into starting duty right away. Williams is a limited player, however, and there’s a reason why the Cardinals declined to match the offer that Kansas City submitted. In his best NFL season, he started one game in 11 appearances and had 20 tackles. Thus, I think Nnadi is definitely capable of taking the starting job once he gets acclimated to the NFL.

In 2017, Nnadi notched 53 tackles with 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, 10 tackles for a loss and a pass batted. He played well, causing disruption at the point of attack. Nnadi has good strength and quickness that makes him tough to block. Consistently, one would see Nnadi power through blockers or use speed to fire by them. Nnadi (6-1, 317) has developed a lot of power, and he is a fire hydrant in the middle of the defensive line.

Kansas City has talent around the nose tackle position with Chris Jones, Justin Houston and rookie Breeland Speaks. Before long, I think Nnadi will emerge as a quality starter playing the zero-technique over the center and providing a tough nose tackle for the Chiefs’ 3-4 defense.

2017: Kareem Hunt, RB
2016: Chris Jones, DT
2015: Mitch Morse, G
2014: Philip Gaines, CB
2013: Eric Fisher, OT

Most Likely To Bust

Dorian O’Daniel, LB, Clemson – Round 3
This was a rather easy choice from the Chiefs’ 2018 draft class. O’Daniel was an okay player for Clemson, but as a second-day selection, he is expected to develop into a starter. In speaking with teams around the league, O’Daniel was a reach on the second day of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Most team sources had O’Daniel graded as a fifth-rounder, with one saying the fourth round. O’Daniel put together a solid 2017 season for Clemson with 88 tackles, 11.5 for a loss, five sacks, five passes broken up and two interceptions. Prior to 2017, O’Daniel did not contribute much, backing up Ben Boulware and some other linebackers who weren’t top NFL prospects. The 6-foot-1, 223-pound O’Daniel is undersized for the NFL and will have to get stronger. He also is not the fastest of linebackers.

Kansas City moved on from Derrick Johnson this offseason and could use more linebacker talent to go with Reggie Ragland. O’Daniel will probably get every opportunity to win a starting spot in the next few seasons, but I think his limitations could end up making him more of a backup and special teams contributor.

2017: Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE
2016: KeiVarae Russell, CB
2015: Chris Conley, WR
2014: Dee Ford, OLB
2013: Knile Davis, RB

Potential Boom Pick

Breeland Speaks, DT, Ole Miss – Round 1
Speaks went under the radar for a lot of the draft process. Part of that was because Ole Miss had a rough year as the program reeled from a scandal. Speaks also did not produce much during his redshirt freshman and sophomore seasons, totaling two sacks over those two years. However in 2017, Speaks broke out with 67 tackles with eight tackles for a loss, seven sacks, one forced fumble and one pass batted.

The 6-foot-3, 283-pound Speaks has surprising speed and athleticism. With his speed and thick build, Speaks has the versatility to line up at a variety of spots. He can play three-technique as an interior rusher or go line up as a defensive end, even five-technique, and might even be able to stand up as an outside linebacker.

The Chiefs need some young pass-rushers to emerge after moving on from Tamba Hali. Additionally, Dee Ford has been a disappointment and is in the last year of his contract. In combination with Justin Houston and Chris Jones, Speaks could be an inside/outside pass-rusher who gives Kansas City a talented trio. With Houston and Jones getting attention, Speaks should have a lot of one-on-one blocks. He is a really good athlete with upside to develop in the NFL. Of the Chiefs’ 2018 draft class, Speaks has the most boom potential.

2017: Pat Mahomes, QB
2016: Demarcus Robinson, WR
2015: Marcus Peters, CB
2014: De’Anthony Thomas, RB
2013: Travis Kelce, TE

Future Depth Player

Armani Watts, S, Texas A&M – Round 4
The Chiefs could use some depth at safety, and Watts should provide that for Kansas City while also contributing on special teams. Watts was a solid player for Texas A&M over the past four years, and he made a lot of clutch plays over the past few years for his team. Still, Watts (5-10, 191) has limitations in terms of size and speed. The undersized safety ran slowly in the 40, and that lack of speed could be seen with him having issues in pass coverage last year. Sources say that Watts has good reaction on plays underneath, struggles in man coverage on tight ends, gets caught flat-footed, and jumps any initial moves. They feel that he is smaller, lacks speed, and misses too many tackles. Those sources graded him in the fourth round and thought he could be a solid backup. For the Chiefs, Watts should be a quality depth player who also contributes on special teams.

2017: Jehu Chesson, WR
2016: Eric Murray, CB
2015: Steven Nelson, CB
2014: Aaron Murray, QB
2013: Sanders Commings, CB

Walt’s 2018 NFL Draft Grades:

46. Breeland Speaks, DE/DT, Ole Miss D Grade
Someone tweeted out that the Chiefs traded up for Christian Kirk. I liked that pick a lot more! Speaks is a Round 3 prospect, so why did the Chiefs think they needed to move up for him? Was Andy Reid just bored, or did he want to go out for a quick bite to eat in between selections? I don’t get it. Speaks should be a solid rotational defensive lineman for Kansas City, but he’s not worth moving up for.

75. Derrick Nnadi, NT, Florida State C Grade
The Chiefs are making some Go-Go Gadget reaches here on Day 2. Derrick Nnadi is a stout run-stuffer, but that’s all he is. He probably should have been selected early on Day 3. This pick isn’t a great one, but I can understand why Kansas City made this move.

100. Dorian O’Daniel, LB, Clemson C Grade
Dorian O’Daniel should be able to cover well if he plays on defense, but he’ll have trouble tackling and shedding blocks. O’Daniel’s strength should be special teams. So, as you can tell, the Chiefs reached with this choice. I had O’Daniel in the fifth round, so the Chiefs could’ve obtained him or a comparable player later.

124. Armani Watts, S, Texas A&M B+ Grade
The Chiefs’ defense was completely lost last year when Eric Berry got hurt. They needed better depth at safety, and Armani Watts could eventually develop into a starter. Watts could’ve gone a bit earlier than this, so I like the value.

196. Tremon Smith, CB, Central Arkansas B Grade
This pick is a pretty logical one, as Tremon Smith moved into sixth-round consideration after a strong showing at his pro day, which included a 4.34 40. Kansas City had to add another cornerback to fix the depth problems at the position.

198. Khalil McKenzie, DT, Tennessee B Grade
Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie will have to battle his son twice per year. The younger McKenzie is a run-stuffing nose tackle, and it’s not a surprise that the Chiefs opted for him at this spot, given their struggles versus the rush.

2018 NFL Draft Team Grade: D . Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

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