BY JEFF FALK
For the first time in four years, Jared Odrick will be entering an off-season with something other than his on-the-field performance as his top priority.
At the conclusion of the 2014 NFL regular season, Odrick, a graduate of Lebanon High School, became an unrestricted free agent when the Miami Dolphins declined to offer the 27-year-old defensive lineman a contract extension. While it is almost certain that Odrick will land somewhere for the 2015 season, it is unclear whether or not the Dolphins want him to return.
Some sources have said that there is less than a 50 percent chance that Odrick will play in Miami next season. Others have said that Odrick, who starred at Penn State, should be part of the Dolphins’ future plans.
Selected with the 28th overall pick in the 2010 draft, Odrick signed a five-year, $13 million ‘rookie’ contract with the Dolphins. According to reports, whether or not Odrick remains a Dolphin could be decided by Miami management’s decision to keep him or fellow defensive tackle Randy Starks, 30.
It is believed that the 6-5, 305-pound Odrick could command as much as $7 million a year as an unrestricted free agent on the open market. The possibility also exists that Miami could slap its franchise tag on Odrick.
According to Pro Football Focus, Odrick is the 18th ranked defensive tackle in the NFL and Starks is ranked 33rd at the position.
Since missing most of his rookie season to a foot injury, Odrick has played in 64 straight games for the Dolphins. In those five years, Odrick has logged 129 total tackles, 104 of which were solo tackles, with 16.5 sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery.
Miami went 8-8 during the 2014 season.
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