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2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Rome Odunze

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Tom Kavanaugh | Last updated Feb 1, 2024 12:24 PM ET

Rome Odunze NFL Draft Profile

College: Washington
College Position: Wide Receiver
Ideal NFL Position: Wide Receiver
Height/Weight: 6'3", 2l6 lbs
Year / Age: RS Junior / 21
Draft Projection: Top 15
Where I’d Take Him: Top 10

NFL Combine/Pro Day Results

TBD

Background

Rome Odunze was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. He attended and played football at one of the country's top high school athletic programs in Bishop Gorman. Odunze wasted no time rising to prominence, making the varsity team as a sophomore.

He really found his footing in his junior and senior seasons as he recorded back-to-back campaigns of 1,300+ receiving yards. Odunze finished his high school football career by winning Gatorade Football Player of the Year and committing to Washington as a four-star recruit.

Much like high school, Odunze didn't quite arrive on the scene until his third and fourth year with the Huskies. But when he finally broke out, it was with a bang.

Odunze posted the fifth-most single-season receiving yards in Washington history as a redshirt sophomore and earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors for his efforts.

He took it a step further the following year by breaking the school's single-season receiving yards record, adding another first-team All-Pac-12 and All-American accolades to his mantle in the process.

Odunze finished as Washington's second all-time leading receiver in yards and receptions. He also helped the Huskies to a College Football Playoff championship appearance to finish his college career.

Washington WR Rome Odunze will most likely be a top 10 pick and justifiably so

Positives
✅ Elite ball skills and hand catcher
✅ Shakes free at the LOS. Multiple releases
✅ Crafty vertical separator
✅ Option route potential on money downs
✅ Career yards per route ran of… pic.twitter.com/c7DhIQVDkC
— What’s your deal Ben Johnson? (@TommyK_NFLDraft) January 30, 2024

Strengths

Elite ball skills and sticky hands, plucks the ball out of the air and goes up to attack it. 21/28 on contested catches this season
Some real wiggle getting off the LOS, can beat press with quicks and physicality. Ducks under jams as well
Wins vertically by stacking to gain late separation, always makes necessary adjustments to the ball as well
Displays the goods to be used in the slot on option routes
2.51 career yards per route ran
Led CFB in 20+ yard catches with 23 in 2023

Weaknesses

Average athlete by NFL standards
Not a YAC specialist
Long speed is good enough but not great

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Rome Odunze

Odunze projects as a three-level threat who can win as an X receiver in the NFL. His ability to dominate single coverage at the line of scrimmage and downfield at the catch point is where he provides the most value.

While he was the WR1 in one of college football's most prolific offenses, Odunze may be better suited as a 1b in the NFL. There's no doubt that he's extremely skilled in the technical aspects of the position. However, I don't know if he possesses any game-changing physical traits to ever be considered an elite receiver. His well-roundedness is his appeal. I believe he'll fall somewhere in that next tier of "very good," which is perfectly fine.

That caliber of receiver is easily worth a top-10 pick, in my opinion. Especially for a team like the Chicago Bears, who are desperate for a second option in the passing game behind DJ Moore.

Odunze should be in range at the No. 9 pick or if the Bears decide to trade down from No. 1. He's one of my top targets in this range of the draft.

Pro Comparison: DeAndre Hopkins

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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