Dolphins 2012 Player Review: Jared Odrick

Nov 11, 2012; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Jared Odrick (98) during a game against the Tennessee Titans in the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Jared Odrick – Defensive End/Defensive Tackle
6’ 5”, 305lbs

Many fans had high hopes that this would be a breakout year for Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Jared Odrick. The first round pick in 2010 out of Penn State has been somewhat of a disappointment in his first two years. Odrick played defensive tackle in college but was drafted to play defensive end in Miami’s 3-4 scheme. This year with the new coaching staff Miami switched to a 4-3 scheme and the coaches felt Odrick was athletic enough to play defensive end.

It was that athleticism that helped the Dolphins defense stay in the top five for most of the season against the run. It wasn’t until the second half of the season when Odrick started seeing more playing time at defensive tackle than defensive end that the Dolphins stout run defense started giving up yards on the ground. It was also during that time that Odrick started playing like a first round pick. Go figure he was finally playing the position he was drafted at and was finally playing like a first round talent. His emergence as a force inside helps with the choice of retaining Randy Starks and or Tony McDaniel as the both hit free agency this off-season.

The first seven games of the season Odrick was average at best. However, it was in the Indianapolis game that Odrick was used more inside than out and he started to respond. The first part of the season Odrick had 14 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 tackle for loss most of that coming from a defensive end position. The final nine games he had 21 tackles, 3 sacks, and 6 tackles for loss with about 60% of his snaps coming from the defensive tackle position.

Odrick rated towards the bottom in Pro Football Focus rankings for all defensive ends that played at least 25% of the snaps and I agree with that ranking. There are very few people that are 6’5” and weigh 305 pounds that can play defensive end in a 4-3 set and be effective and Odrick is not one of them. He was put there out of necessity but when played inside flashed the talent he was drafted for. I have two grades for Odrick and feel if he is shifted inside next year and plays there all year Miami fans will see the ability he has and be very happy with it. I thought in the time that he played inside he outplayed Starks and will give the Dolphins front office ammunition when going into contract negotiations with both Starks and McDaniel.

2012 Defensive End Grade: D-
2012 Defensive Tackle Grade: B