Expert Comments

ESPN SCOUTS INC
What he brings: Odrick is a unique prospect who does not have a great fit anywhere, but he could work out as a 5-technique in the Dolphins' 3-4 front. He has great initial quickness and a relentless motor, and he shows the ability to stick his feet in the ground and regain leverage to anchor against double-teams. While he needs polish as a pass-rusher, he provides depth on the Dolphins? front line.

What he brings: Randy Starks is coming off a very good year but is not getting any younger. Kendall Langford and Phillip Merling are active, physical players and Odrick will fit in well in this mold. The team still needs pass rush help, but if the Dolphins could not get a true nose tackle at this spot improving their depth at the 5-technique will go a long way toward helping out the nose tackle situation.

TSN War Room
Russ Lande's take: Odrick is a perfect fit at defensive end in Miami's 3-4 defense. He is a high-motor player with great quickness and hands. He will be an instant contributor for the Dolphins, and they have to be elated that he was still on the board.

Vinnie Iyer's take: Odrick is a steady, durable player with good intangibles, the kind of late first-round pick you would expect from a Bill Parcells draft. They'll get plenty of hustle from him, and he should be able to hold up as an every-down run stopper.

SI Analysis
The Dolphins are pumped up to see the best 3-4 defensive end in this year's draft still on the board after they traded all the way down to 28 from their original draft postion of 12. Odrick should start at the five-technique position for Miami and fit the Bill Parcells' mold of tough, physical defensive ends who are stellar against the run while being able to provide a steady interior pass rush on obvious passing downs.

Pete Prisco Analysis
The Dolphins needed help on their front line and they landed a good, solid player. He migth not be a star, but in their 3-4 defense he is perfect.

National Football Post
Odrick looks like one of the safest prospects in this year's draft. He's got great value as a five-technique DT in the Dolphins' 3-4 scheme and is a really nice value at the end of round one. He knows how to stack and play off blocks on the edge and can add some pass rush ability on 3rd down as well.

FOX Sports
The main thing is that Bill Parcells wanted to trade out of the top of the draft and he accomplished that by dealing with the Chargers while also picking up the 40th overall pick.

ESPN Insider

OVERALL FOOTBALL TRAITS:

Production
2006: (12/0) 4 tackles.
2007: (9/7) 16 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 blocked kick.
2008: (13/13) 41 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 3 PBU, 1 FF

Height-Weight-Speed 2
Wide frame, good bulk and above-average top-end speed.

Durability 3
Broke two bones in left hand against Wisconsin only to come back a week later and dislocate his right ankle against Indiana in 2007. Missed the remainder of the 2007 season with the ankle injury.

Intangibles 4
Charged with disorderly conduct in March of 2008 after allegedly getting in a fight with three students.



DEFENSIVE TACKLE SPECIFIC TRAITS:

Strength/Toughness 2
Stout and shows good strength at the point of attack. Extremely competitive and works hard to fight through blocks. However has some problems holding ground against double teams.

Quickness(hands/feet) 3
Anticipates snap count and has the quick first step to beat blockers to the point of attack. However, agility is less than ideal. Struggles to change directions and adequate at best lateral mobility. While has quick hands could improve ability to shed blocks quickly and be more productive with energy expends.

Versus the Run 3
Fires off the ball and strong initial surge. Heavy hands and can stack blockers up in one-on-one battles. However, mechanical at times and needs to do a better job of wading through traffic in pursuit.

Pass Rush Skills 3
Average in this category. Quick first step and flashes the ability to penetrate but lacks ideal closing speed and can be a step late getting to the quarterback as a result. Struggles to counter once engaged.

1 = Exceptional
2 = Above average
3 = Average
4 = Below average
5 = Marginal

I think that Ireland is saying the "inside and outside" and "I don't know where he's going to play" stuff just to keep the smokescreen up; they don't want other teams to have a clue whether or not they still want to grab a true NT prospect or DE.

I'm still kind of on the fence with this kid... all the reports I hear are good, but I can't find an ounce of video where this kid isn't chasing someone from behind or just out of the play completely... actually I can't find any video where he actually makes a play at all!

I'm still kind of on the fence with this kid... all the reports I hear are good, but I can't find an ounce of video where this kid isn't chasing someone from behind or just out of the play completely... actually I can't find any video where he actually makes a play at all!

But hey... this Front Office has done pretty darn well so far with the draft... so I'll take a wait and see approach on this pick.

There's a couple of things that could be their thinking.
1. He will play nose tackle.
2. He will play end, and Miami is looking to deal one of their current ends for a pick.
3. He will play end, and Stakes will get pushed to OLB.

1. Yes
2. Doubt it.. Odrick can rotate and provide depth. Merling, Starks, Langford stay as DE
3. No way Starks could play OLB.... also cant see Merling as OLB either... too big/slow

If anyone is odd man out its Tony McDaniel or Soliai

No way no how do Starks/Merling get moved to LB .... and we're not ridding ourselves of Soliai with Ferg on a suspension and us needing somebody with experience.

McDaniel has proven versatile in playing the end and the nose. I think Merling, if anyone is the guy in question here.

Soliai or McDaniels would be the odd man out... they are not starters on this D-Line.

Randy Starks plays NT or DE
Odrick will play NT and some DE
Langford and Merling stay as DE


To me--- McDaniels is good as gone...

Odrick is better than McDaniels---- and can play NT and DE
S

Gonna disagree severely here. Why would you jettison a player like McDaniel who is consistent and plays 2 positions, but keep a guy like Merling who can only play DE and a player the FO has been pleading with to get some more consistency out of? Not to mention you also want to bounce a player like Soliai who is our ONLY experienced NT, with Ferg being suspended 8 games.

Sorry man. The Soliai thing will not happen. NT is one of the hardest positions to learn/play at the pro-level. We need experience.