The top two picks in the upcoming NFL Draft may be defensive tackles, but OurLads.com's Dan Shonka considers Penn State's Jared Odrick to be just as special.
The Lebanon native posted one tackle in Saturday's Under Armour Senior Bowl and was impressive all last week in practice as the North dominated the line of scrimmage and topped the South,
31-13, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala.
"He's strong, quick and uses his hands well. He gets separation and can
handle the run. The guy's a total package, "Shonka said.
Next up for Odrick is the NFL Scouting Combine, which starts on Feb. 24, and then Penn State's Pro Day in March.
Odrick posted 43 tackles with seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss this past season to earn Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors from the coaches. Although he didn't post any sacks this past weekend, Odrick continues to cement himself as a possible first-round selection.
Shonka didn't give much chance for Odrick still being on the board after the first round, slotting him at No. 32 overall to the Indianapolis Colts in his latest mock draft. However, he added he might not last on the board that long.
As for which team may pick Odrick, Shonka mentioned the Pittsburgh Steelers. He believes Odrick fits into the Steelers' scheme and can play in the 3-4 or the 4-3.
The 6-foot-5 Odrick could slide in as the No. 3 defensive tackle in the class, as Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh -- the fourth-place finisher for the Heisman -- and Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy may go Nos. 1 and 2 in April's draft. Suh led the Cornhuskers with 85 tackles and notched 12 sacks, while McCoy posted 34 tackles with 6 sacks. Suh was named to the Associated Press All-American first team while McCoy was placed on the second team.
Scott Wright's mock draft on draftcountdown.com was last updated on Jan. 22 and mirrors that of Shonka's. Wright has Suh and McCoy leading the picks and Odrick also going to the Colts with the last pick of the first round. NFLDraftBible.com also reflected Odrick's strong week by naming him as a riser while complimenting his consistency. ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper also had the two Big 12 defensive tackles placing one-two, with Odrick going to the New Orleans Saints at No. 31.
Of course, the numbers and expectations may fluctuate from now until the draft starts on April 22, but Odrick continues to impress.
"He was very disruptive that game. He helped the defensive front-7 dominate that game," Shonka said. "He's the pick of the litter that could play at the line of scrimmage."
