While the Kansas City Chiefs defense may be drawing all the headlines, Dave Toub’s Special Teams (STs) units have undergone a similar make-over. Using both the draft, and free agency, Kansas City has added multiple new starters on STs. They’ve also cleared the way for some of their existing STs aces to play more snaps. Since the Chiefs defense will likely take some time to gel, Special Teams could play a significant role in winning early season games. With these players, they have a chance to do just that.
Dorian O’Daniel: Last season, the Chiefs traded STs star DJ Alexander, for more talented nickel LB Kevin Pierre-Lewis. While this move helped the defense, it was definitely a downgrade for the STs. In Dorian O’Daniel, the Chiefs have secured both an upgrade on defense, and an upgrade on ST. Regarded by many as the most talented ST player in the draft, O’Daniel can provide a significant boost as a blocker, gunner or wedge (to the limits that the league will allow it).
Breeland Speaks: When Brett Veach talked about where OLBs would play, he mentioned that this would free up Zombo to play STs. This made me curious, so I looked at Zombo’s snap count. While he had relatively high snap counts the last two years, on STs (just over 50%), If you look back to 2015, he played 81% of special teams snaps. That’s basically everything but FG kicking units. That same year, Tamba Hali played 77% of snaps on defense. If the Chiefs can use a combination of Speaks and Ford to hold down the OLB spot, Zombo should be free to do what he does best: Special Teams.
Damien Williams: Williams didn’t play a ton of snaps on STs last year, but that was due to a couple of factors. First, he saw more snaps on offense, once Jay Ajayi got traded. Second, he got injured and missed five games. The previous two years, Williams logged over 60% of the STs snaps for the Dolphins. He has a fighting chance to do the same, for the Chiefs, as this was likely a major reason they signed him.
Armani Watts: While some may envision Watts taking snaps on STs himself, I see more value in his ability to free up Daniel Sorenson. K.C. gets an upgrade to Sorenson, at FS, and moves him back to a depth in STs role. Last year, as a starter, Sorenson only logged 34% of STs snaps. The previous two years, he had more snaps there than any other Chiefs player, logging about 82% of snaps. Sorenson is the leader of the special teams unit, and Toub must be itching to get him back.
On average, the Chiefs have had seven players a year who logged at least 50% of special teams snaps. Of the guys likely to make the roster, eight of them have already done that (Williams, Sorenson, Zombo, Terrence Smith, Harris, Murray, Sherman, DAT) and O’Daniel is projected too. That’s a load of talent for Toub to work with. Look for improved performance by all the Special Teams units this year. Go Chiefs.
Honorable Mention – Tremon Smith: While Tremon Smith had experience as a PR in college, I think his best fit is on Special Teams as a gunner. With serious speed, and the physicality to get the job done, Smith will be a terror for opposing returners. Smith will likely take Kenneth Acker’s spot on STs. Acker played 48.9% of the STs snaps, so that could mean a heavy load for the new-comer. If he’s good enough to play wedge, as well, it could help him with his the press technique, letting him see the field sooner. Smith is a far better athlete than Acker and Toub is likely excited to see what he can do.
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