From now until the 2018 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to showcase as many prospects as possible and examine both their strengths and weaknesses. Most of these profiles will feature individuals that the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to have an interest in, while a few others will be top-ranked players. If there is a player you would like us to analyze, let us know in the comments below.
#6 Dorian O’Daniel/ILB Clemson – 6’0/4 215
The Good
– Tremendous athlete, moves like a safety
– Quick first step and processor, gets to his spot in a hurry
– Sideline-to-sideline range, takes good angles and can close
– Physical player who puts his face in the fan as a tackler, fearless player, closes quickly on the ball
-Versatile, moved all over the front, tons of experience dropping and playing in space out of the box
– Athleticism lets him duck around some blocks in the run game
– Productive senior season, got better every year
– Good experience against excellent competition
– Terrific special teams experience and productivity
The Bad
– Woefully underweight and thin-framed, questionable if he has ability to add and if he does, if he’ll maintain his speed
– Lacks ideal length (31 7/8 inch arms)
– Poor functional strength to hold the POA on drive blocks and underdeveloped hand use to shed, too easily controlled, even by TE/RB
– Doesn’t seem to have a defined role in the NFL, a tweener type who could be limited to just sub-packages
– Needs to do a better job breaking down in space and coming to balance as a tackler, lack of length/strength hurts him
– Struggles when asked to rush off the edge, doesn’t have a go-to move and small frame is easily bullied by bigger/longer tackles
Bio
– Two-year starter (27 total)
– Co-captain his senior season
– Career: 205 tackles, 28 TFL, 8.