Next up in our series of Cowboys draft prospect profiles, Jared Odrick, defensive lineman from Penn State. Odrick is on the list because he's visited the Cowboys. Odrick's size makes him a prime candidate for a DE spot in a 3-4 defense. The Cowboys have Igor Olshansky signed for one spot, and have a tender out to Marcus Spears at the other starting spot. Both backups, Stephen Bowen and Jason Hatcher, also have tenders out. Given the unsure future of those guys beyond 2010 (I'm assuming they'll sign their tenders eventually), the Cowboys could be looking for new blood along the defensive line.
Jared Odrick
DE
Height: 6' 5"
Weight: 304 lbs.
SB Nation's Penn State blog, Black Shoe Diaries, has this scouting report on Odrick. (Click over to read the whole report.)
Strengths: Odrick has tremendous power and strength and a good motor to go with it. When he is on his game, he is unblockable. Several teams tried to contain him with double teams all year long with little or no effect. He loves to initiate contact and uses his hands well to fight off the blocker and gain leverage. There's a reason why Jared Odrick is listed as most experts as a first round draft pick. I won't say he's as good as Ndamukong Suh, but he's in that category.
National Football Post chimes in with:
Plays bigger than his frame indicates and does a great job firing off the snap, gaining initial leverage and finding the ball inside. Has the versatility to play as a three or five technique in the NFL, which further adds to his value.
They have him #15 on their board, which is consistent with a lot of other places, meaning he might now be around for Dallas at #27. More evidence of the low chances he will fall that far:
This Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article compares him to the Steelers Aaron Smith. The article also makes the case that the Steelers (18th pick) could use him.
Penn State's Jared Odrick did more than wear the same number as Aaron Smith. He is built like the Steelers' defensive end, sheds blocks and stuffs the run like him and was used in much the same selfless manner with the Nittany Lions.
It's also been rumored that the Pats (22nd pick) also covet him, where the comparison is to Richard Seymour.
More links:
More stats and news on Odrick.
Mocking The Draft covers him, here.
Combine workout video from NFL.com.
Combine interview video from NFL.com.