Packers Profile: Chris Odom
A profile on Packers outside linebacker Chris Odom.
By Ryan Brunner
The Tape
- Position: Linebacker
- Age: 23
- Height: 6’ 4”
- Weight: 262 lbs.
- 40-yard Dash: 4.83 seconds
- Vertical Jump: 31.5”
- Broad Jump: 114”
- 3-Cone Drill: 7.67 seconds
- Bench Press: 20 reps at 225 lbs.
The Roots
Chris Odom was born the son of Cliff Odom, a 13-year NFL veteran linebacker that played for the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins between 1980 – 1993. Chris was raised in Arlington, Texas, where he would go on to play for the Martin High School varsity football team. Chris played defensive end in high school opposite of fellow defensive end Myles Garrett, who would go on later to dominate the college ranks at Texas A&M University and then become a first overall pick in the 2017 draft by the Cleveland Browns.
Playing alongside a highly recruited Division I player, it was difficult for Odom to get noticed by scouts as Garrett was just that dominant of a player. Odom would leave the prep ranks and go on to play with Arkansas State University as part of the Sun Belt Conference. The Red Wolves program was the only one to offer Odom a scholarship.
After shifting around the defensive line and acting as a role player in the Arkansas State program during his first three years with the team, Odom burst onto the scene during his senior season with a full-time move to defensive end. In that role, he would go on to lead the Sun Belt Conference with 12.5 sacks. On the season, he would finish with 53 tackles with 17.5 of those being for a loss of yards. This huge senior season would land Odom All-Sun Belt first team honors. Odom also found a knack for blocking kicks on special teams during his time as a Red Wolf, where he would leave the school second all-time in blocked kicks at five.
Entering the 2017 NFL Draft, Odom was projected to be a late-round draft pick for his upside as a potential pass rusher in the NFL. He didn’t participate in the NFL Combine nor did he receive an invite to the Senior Bowl, but a few teams did bring him in for a visit pre-draft, including the Packers.
The Rookie Campaign
As the 2017 NFL Draft came and passed, Chris Odom went undrafted and shortly after, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Atlanta Falcons. As he entered camp with the Falcons, Odom was playing his natural position of defensive end with the team. Throughout the preseason, Odom would lead the league in tackles among all defensive linemen. But, in a surprise move in hopes to stash Odom away on the practice squad, Odom fell victim to the final roster cut down for the Falcons. And there, waiting and licking his chops was Ted Thompson.
The signing of Odom leading up to week one of the 2017 season came at a time when the outside linebacker position with the Packers was in major flux. At the time of Odom’s signing, the Packers had traded Jayrone Elliott to the Cowboys and also signed veteran Ahmad Brooks to the position. But for Odom, the signing meant he was joining an NFL roster.
Odom only saw the field for 59 defensive snaps during his 2017 season with the Packers with some special teams snaps mixed in as well. In the seven games he appeared in during the season, Odom tallied three solo tackles and three assists.
The Future
Heading into the 2018 season, Odom will get to work in and see what he can prove in a new defensive scheme. Being a transition guy to the outside linebacker position when coming to the Packers, I will be intrigued to see how a player like Odom is utilized in Pettine’s system through training camp and into the preseason. His diverse background of playing on the defensive line and at the defensive end position prior to the Packers converting him could be extra weapons in his tool-box come this summer.
The intangibles are definitely there for Odom to have success in the NFL. While short-lived for just one season, he has shown that he can be highly productive as a pass rusher at the college level. He also has a grounded and well-set head on his shoulders, which I believe to be a big difference maker between success and just being another guy on an NFL squad. With the dire need this team has for another pass rusher or two to emerge this year, Odom will be a guy I will be watching closely during training camp in 2018.
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Ryan Brunner is an avid Packers fan hailing from Chippewa Falls, WI. He is a firm believer that punters are NFL players too! Follow him on Twitter @brunwardo
Comments (16)
4thand1
February 23, 2018 at 02:38 pm
Well, he'll make the training camp roster.
John Ramble Kirk
February 23, 2018 at 03:28 pm
Anyone named Odom having the letters "dom" in his name doesn't belong anywhere near our defense. I know I said, O, Dom... way too many times over the years.
NickPerry
February 24, 2018 at 05:01 am
Common guys, why the dislikes for this comment?
I thought it was actually pretty clever AND it was pretty damn true...O Dom......LOL...Good one John!
Roadrunner23
February 23, 2018 at 03:38 pm
Thompson has been good at mining players like this over the years. While most turn out to be just depth-special teams guys on the bottom end of the roster, they are needed due to salary cap restrictions. Hopefully this guy turns out to be the exception (like Lane Taylor or Sam Shields) wouldn't that be nice.
RobinsonDavis
February 24, 2018 at 12:10 pm
I am trying to figure out why he played so little when the Packers had a large need last year for more pass pressure...Especially after Odom looked so impressive in his pre-season with the Falcons. He appears to be a long, lanky guy that can also disrupt just getting his hands up. This is compounded by the impressive end of season play by Reggie Gilbert who was on the practice squad while Odom was a roster protected player. Lots of questions to be defined, yet.
Thanks for the article Ryan!
flackcatcher
February 24, 2018 at 03:11 pm
Most likely the breakdown in the defensive coaching staff along with the injuries in the secondary and linebackers. To put it bluntly, Odom got caught up in the wash and never got a chance. It happens, at least he will get a second chance this year.
carlos
February 24, 2018 at 09:11 pm
Odom needs to get stronger. Needs to get after the weight room. It’s anyone’s guess why some players, who seem to have potential, didn’t see the field much.
kevgk
February 25, 2018 at 12:26 pm
I am not surprised that gilbert got more playtime seeing that its about time to sign him or release him. I think another thing to keep in mind is there is a huge bulking up for these players in their first offseason having made the NFL training their year round profession. I wouldn't be surprised if Odom is just too weak in his first season to make a big splash.
GBPDAN1
February 23, 2018 at 08:26 pm
It would be a nice surprise if Odom can contribute quality snaps per game. An effective, rotational/back-up, pass rusher is needed. I hope I'm wrong, but, I believe Fackrell has hit his ceiling? ( truly hope not).
On a separate note, Packers officially awarded 4 compensatory picks. One 4th, two 5ths and a 6th. This is good news, however, you would think better compensation would be awarded by losing Lang, Cook, Hyde and Tretter...all quality starters? This includes 2 pro bowlers!
dobber
February 24, 2018 at 01:15 am
Yeah, I know I'm a little disappointed by the distribution of picks, but 3 additional picks in rounds 4 and 5 is nothing to sneeze at.
worztik
February 24, 2018 at 09:26 am
Dob... I’m very disappointed with the compensation! It appears we received the picks based on where the players were initially drafted if I remember correctly. Probably not based on my overall memory!!! However, as ya said, they’re better than not receiving any or 7th rounders! I was hoping for more trade up value but, I’m hoping for better drafting by Gute in a big way so it IS just added ammunition!!! Ok... I just talked myself out of being disappointed... but, I’m still not very happy...
Thegreatreynoldo
February 26, 2018 at 05:05 am
Lang being a 4th is disappointing since a 3rd rd. comp is still a premium draft pick (top 100 or so). Still, we knew that Lang was on the cusp. Damon Harrison was the last guy to garner a 3rd the year before. He got $8.96M AAV whereas Lang got $9.5M. Seemed pretty safe, but cap inflation ($167M/$155.27M) turns Harrison's old contract AAV into $9.653M. No cigar, I guess. Plus the NFL takes into consideration playing time and post season awards. Harrison played all 16 games. Lang didn't. Harrison was named 1st team All-Pro by the main outlet, AP. Lang made the Pro Bowl popularity contest as an alternate after someone else couldn't make it.
Still, it might have been enough to be worth a 3rd. It is all close. Instead Lang is worth the top 4th round comp instead of the 5th and last 3rd rd. comp pick.
carlos
February 24, 2018 at 09:18 pm
Packers never seem to make out like they should with those picks.
EddieLeeIvory
February 24, 2018 at 07:16 am
Zombo
Johnblood27
February 24, 2018 at 09:54 am
bless you
lou
February 24, 2018 at 02:30 pm
Has anyone noticed that with all of the coaching changes that Associate Head Coach Winston Moss still has his job ? He started out and for many years was the inside LB coach and then had responsibility for both groups of linebackers and both units recently have not played well and although we hear about guys like Joe Whitt being heralded and even Darren Perry at times we hear nothing like this about Moss. It just seems strange to me.