Prospect of the Day: C Kris O'Dowd, USC

Mr. Goosemahn · 08-23-2010, 02:18 PM

To see previously discussed prospects, click here.

C Kris O'Dowd, USC
6'5 - 315 lbs. - Senior

No highlights :(

Very good center prospect, IMO. Was hampered by injuries last year. I really, really liked him and hoped the Steelers would take him when he was available, but it's all good with Pouncey now. I'm not going to lie, I had O'Dowd over Mack and Pouncey as guys on my Steelers wishlist, and still like him a lot. I also happen to love Pouncey now :D

Anyways, great size for a center, first true freshman to start at center in USC history. Read many people had him as a first rounder for a while, then he started appearing in the second and third round last year (had he declared as a junior). How high do you guys have him ranked right now?

BeerBaron · 08-23-2010, 02:29 PM

The NFL is shifting towards having bigger, stronger centers as more and more teams switch to the 3-4 since they will need their center to handle huge NTs. In a division like the AFC East and North especially, where almost every team runs the 3-4 it is very important.

So that will help him for sure...plus the tons of experience at a high profile school. He needs to get past the injuries though and stay healthy for a year if he wants to be a first rounder.

wicket · 08-23-2010, 02:40 PM

was kinda dissapointed by his last season tbqh

FlyingElvis · 08-23-2010, 03:08 PM

I wanted to see the Pats grab O'Dowd in the second round this year, and I'll stick with that again in 2011. If he really plays well and gets into the 1st I'd be fine with that, too. NE does have 2 first round picks coming up and 2 in the second, as well.

RaiderNation · 08-23-2010, 03:14 PM

He would be perfect for the Raiders in the 2nd.

BRAVEHEART · 08-23-2010, 03:32 PM

He needs to stay healthy. I also don't think he's a legit 6'5". I wouldn't be surprised if he's a big 6'3". He doesn't have long arms either. Besides for that, he's pretty legit. Not the most athletic lineman, but he's smart, polished, and strong.

He's one of those few C's that come along and deserve a 1st round grade.

BeerBaron · 08-23-2010, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRAVEHEART

He's one of those few C's that come along and deserve a 1st round grade.

I think their numbers are going to increase in the near future. One reason, as I mentioned above, is that you need a bigger, more powerful center to handle all of the 3-4 NTs.

Plus, interior offensive lineman have traditionally been the most successful position to draft in the first round. Not many guards and centers go in the first, but those that do tend to be very, very good. I think more teams will see how safe of a pick it is and how many of them turn into pro bowlers and will start drafting more as well.

BRAVEHEART · 08-23-2010, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeerBaron

I think their numbers are going to increase in the near future. One reason, as I mentioned above, is that you need a bigger, more powerful center to handle all of the 3-4 NTs.

Plus, interior offensive lineman have traditionally been the most successful position to draft in the first round. Not many guards and centers go in the first, but those that do tend to be very, very good. I think more teams will see how safe of a pick it is and how many of them turn into pro bowlers and will start drafting more as well[/b].

That's pretty much it. 1st round interior linemen are usually elite at their posistion, and safe at that. Other posistions often get reached at too often (QB, LT, DE, WR, etc...). (for the most part) Nobody reaches for and interior lineman, because they are easy to aqcuire.

A Perfect Score · 08-23-2010, 06:24 PM

He would look damn good in a Ravens uniform. Personally, I'm a huge fan and I think he will end up being every bit the prospect Mack or Pouncey were. Still not as good as Mangold though.

prock · 08-23-2010, 06:25 PM

Would look good in a Vikings uniform too.

soybean · 08-24-2010, 06:59 PM

This Foo shut down Ndamukong Suh. Sure he might've been a sophmore but O'dowd was a true freshman.

Watch the USC vs. nebraska game, as the announcers said "you could've driven a big rig through those holes!"

thenewfeature06 · 08-24-2010, 07:00 PM

I really do want Oakland to draft him, he would be a great young piece for a developing line.

K Train · 08-24-2010, 07:07 PM

hes sick....not quite mangold/pouncey/mack status, but definitely above unger/wood/kalil and hes definitely got the stones to dominate big NTs. id be on board with drafting him as a G next year....kemo-pouncey-odowd=sweet sweet sexual magic, what an interior line turn around that would be

BRAVEHEART · 08-24-2010, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K Train

hes sick....not quite mangold/pouncey/mack status, but definitely above unger/wood/kalil and hes definitely got the stones to dominate big NTs. id be on board with drafting him as a G next year....kemo-pouncey-odowd=sweet sweet sexual magic, what an interior line turn around that would be

I'd say he's above Mack, less than Pouncey (who's one of the best athletes at the posistion, if not the best), and on the same level of Mangold. His main concern is staying healthy, and he could be better than all of them.

Grain of Salt homer post, but that's how I feel. If he wasn't injured so often he would've been a 1st round pick already.

Mr. Goosemahn · 08-24-2010, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRAVEHEART

I'd say he's above Mack, less than Pouncey (who's one of the best athletes at the posistion, if not the best), and on the same level of Mangold. His main concern is staying healthy, and he could be better than all of them.

Grain of Salt homer post, but that's how I feel. If he wasn't injured so often he would've been a 1st round pick already.

Okay, this confused me a bit, lemme try and rearrange this:

Mack < O'Dowd = Mangold < Pouncey

That right?

BeerBaron · 08-25-2010, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRAVEHEART

I'd say he's above Mack, less than Pouncey (who's one of the best athletes at the posistion, if not the best), and on the same level of Mangold. His main concern is staying healthy, and he could be better than all of them.

Grain of Salt homer post, but that's how I feel. If he wasn't injured so often he would've been a 1st round pick already.

So Pouncey, a rookie who has never played in a real NFL game yet, is already better than the highest paid player at his position who's been to pro bowls? Kind of insane, no?

If you mean that Pouncey has immense potential and could be better than Mangold in a few years, I might be able to better see where you're coming from, but still....

Hines · 08-24-2010, 08:52 PM

Would love to have him in Pittsburgh.

SenorGato · 08-25-2010, 04:57 AM

He's not quite Alex Mack, but he reminds me of Matt Tennant...Tennant should have went earlier than the 5th. Good player with prototype size.

K Train · 08-25-2010, 10:45 AM

i think hes more talking as a prospect in which case i would have mangold 1a and pouncey 1b followed by mack, odowd, wood, kalil, unger (just in the last few years)

edit: a piece of homerism from me, even though i was really high on pouncey before he was a steeler...i was infatuated with mangold though

A Perfect Score · 08-25-2010, 10:48 AM

Rating C from the past several years, my rankins are

1. Mangold
2. Mack
3. Pouncey
4. Kalil
5. Unger

If I had to put O'Dowd in there, he would be at #3, before Pouncey and after Mack.

CC.SD · 08-26-2010, 12:02 PM

He's not as good as Kalil was by a long shot. I like Kris a lot though.

619 · 08-26-2010, 12:27 PM

He's at the very top of my draft wishlist for the Raiders this season.

K Train · 08-27-2010, 08:18 AM

tricky spam

BRAVEHEART · 08-28-2010, 01:33 AM

@Mr.Gooshman & Beer

I'm rating them as prospects coming into the league. I said Pouncey is one of the most athletic centers inthe league (can you name me a center more "athletic" than him?).

Sawie for da konfusion.

Mr. Goosemahn · 08-28-2010, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRAVEHEART

@Mr.Gooshman & Beer

I'm rating them as prospects coming into the league. I said Pouncey is one of the most athletic centers inthe league (can you name me a center more "athletic" than him?).

Sawie for da konfusion.

Yeah, I know, I simply didn't process the order correctly, so I had to simplify it, lol.

Glad you really like Pouncey :)

And yeah, he's probably in contention for top-athlete at the position (note: just athlete, not best...yet.)