College: Arkansas State
Position: Defensive End
Accolades: 2016 Sun Belt 1st Team, The Little Rock Touchdown Club’s 2016 Dan Hampton Award Winner
Chris Odom wasn’t a season-long starter until his senior year. In his three previous season, Odom recorded three sacks in mostly a reserve roll, playing behind Chris Stone and savant sack maestro Ja’Von Rolland-Jones. But 2016 belonged exclusively to Odom, who finally developed into the monster defensive coordinator Joe Cauthen needed to run one of the nation’s most disruptive defenses. Working in concert with Rolland-Jones, the two combined for a nation-leading 26 sacks, earning Odom Sun Belt First Team Defense honors.
Why some lucky NFL team really needs Chris Odom
Let’s compare two guys who are entering the 2017 NFL Draft:
| Sacks | TFL | Height | Weight | 40 yd dash | 225lb reps | Vertical | |
| Player A | 12.5 | 17.5 | 6’4″ | 264 | 4.83 | 20 | 31.5 |
| Player B | 8.5 | 15 | 6’4″ | 272 | 4.64 | 33 | 41 |
“Player A” is Chris Odom. “Player B” is top rated defensive end and projected #1 pick Myles Garrett. You can drop a $25M contract with a $17M signing bonus on Garrett, or you can receive similar (even better) production from Odom, but at a far greater value. Listen, I’m no general manager, but I’d let Cleveland choke on those money bags while patiently selecting Odom on Day 3 of the NFL Draft.
What’s the downside on Chris Odom?
With only one year as a full-time starter on his resume, Odom is as “beneath the radar” as it gets for prospects, currently rated the 38th best defensive end prospect by CBSSports.com. Nor does it help that Odom disappeared in games versus Toledo, Auburn and Central Florida (Cure Bowl) where he recorded zero sacks. Still, Odom’s name is beginning to gain traction, so it wouldn’t be a big surprise to see the productive DE rise on draft boards.
Where will Chris Odom be drafted?
Odom, who some believe is more a linebacker than defensive end, was not among the handful of Sun Belt talents selected to participate in the NFL Combine. He’s not even the highest rated NFL Draft prospect from the Red Wolves, according to CBSSports.com, who ranks offensive lineman Jemar Clark much higher. Yet, Odom is generating the most momentum heading into April 27th. Should a savvy squad see value in Odom’s tenacity, look for the hard-hitting Red Wolf to make an appearance in the latest rounds.
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