 | Feature: The early line on defensive linemen |
Even though two defensive linemen could be taken in the first three picks, there is a good chance that an appealing one will fall to the Ravens near the bottom of the first round next week.
Penn State's Jared Odrick, the consensus No. 3 defensive tackle in the draft, fits the personality of the Ravens' defense. In commenting on Odrick's high-energy play and toughness, one team official recently said, "He plays like a Raven."
Odrick was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year by the league's coaches after he recorded 43 tackles last season for the Nittany Lions. He also had seven sacks and 11 tackles for losses.
The biggest reason why Odrick could last into the second half of the first round is he's not considered flashy. He stops the run and rushes the passer equally well, but isn't dominant in either area.
"The fact that he's got a great motor and had great production in college is his highest testament," said Mike Mayock, the NFL Network's draft analyst. "It will be tough for some of those teams at the end of the first round to pass on him."
The Ravens, who hold the 25th overall pick, are likely among those teams who won't pass on Odrick.
Defensive line is one of the Ravens' needs after the team lost Dwan Edwards (signed with Buffalo) and Justin Bannan (Denver) in free agency. The Ravens added Cory Redding last month, but he's viewed as a stopgap solution. Three of the Ravens' top four defensive linemen (Redding, nose tackle Kelley Gregg and defensive end Trevor Pryce) will be at least 30 by the middle of the season.
Odrick, who stands 6 feet 5 and weighs 304 pounds, would be an upgrade over Edwards, anchoring the Ravens' defensive line with Haloti Ngata for the next decade. Although some think Odrick could be adequate as a nose tackle, the Ravens project him as an end in their system.
"He's a lunch-pail-type player," said Eric DeCosta, Ravens director of player personnel. "He plays hard. He's a smart kid. He's a good prospect."
There is a chance that Odrick will be gone before the Ravens are on the clock. The Ravens were reportedly among seven teams that had scheduled a private meeting or workout with him. (The Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons were the others.)
One report had Odrick being drafted as high as No. 7 by the Browns, but few see him going in the top 20 in the draft despite the fact that he was one of eight players invited to New York for the first round.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bal-sp.ravens12apr12,0,2313494.story
|
|
|
|
| |
|
