The Dolphins traded down with San Diego rather than execute their no. 12 pick in the NFL draft, and then used their shiny new slot at no. 28 to select Penn State defensive lineman Jared Odrick.
Who?
Exactly. Of all the names tossed about by insiders and fans, Odrick wasn't among them. But the Dolphins reportedly fell in love with the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year at the Senior Bowl, and scouting reports suggest they just might be onto something. From Mocking the Draft:
Shows solid quickness at the point of attack. Fluidly moves off the line at the snap... His long arms are really useful because he can reach out and grab a ball carrier before their superior speed creates separation.
With so many teams shifting to a 3-4, Odrick is an attractive prospect because he can play end. He was a real difference maker during his final two years in Happy Valley. In those two seasons he had 84 tackles, 20.5 tackles for a loss and seven sacks... Make no mistake, Odrick is a solid player. He may never be a superstar in the NFL, but he's a dependable three-down defensive lineman with good strength and tenacity.
First round for "dependable?" Sounds "debatable," especially with a front office's reputation all but riding on the pick. But the versatile Odrick says he's ready to earn his keep.
“I can play both [inside and outside],” Odrick told the press. "That’s one of the reason the Dolphins took me. I can and will play any position on the defensive line. It doesn’t matter...Whatever works, let's do it."
Sports
Naturally, choosy Dolphins fans are disappointed to have missed out on hot favorites like Eric Berry, C.J. Spiller, Sergio Kindle, J. Lo fave Dan Williams, and Earl Thomas, but it sounds like they can rest assured. The Herald's David J. Neal reports that Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland, and Tony Sparano hung a sign by their draft-day desks that reads:
For the next three days we are going to draft prototypical players that play football well in their pads on the football field.
as well as another that announced:
Mascot players, pet cats and other favorites must wait until late on Saturday.
So at least we know Odrick won't turn out to be a domestic tabby headed for a hockey rink who can be neutralized by uniform underpinnings. That'd be really out of left field.
