Washington receiver Rome Odunze is an intriguing NFL Draft prospect. Odunze exploded in his third year with the Huskies (and first under head coach Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubbs) before upping his totals as a senior and taking home All-America honors. So, what are some potential landing spots for Odunze in the NFL?
Rome Odunze Landing Spots
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound receiver should run a blazing 40 at the Combine. And while that speed doesn’t always seem to translate on film in terms of elite separation, he’s one of the top contested-catch receivers in the class and a more-than-adequate route runner.
He has strong hands and can be a quarterback’s best friend, especially in jump-ball situations. Because of this, Odunze could go as early as the top 10 in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Cincinnati Bengals
Odunze has been compared to Tee Higgins due to his size and playing style, so it should be no surprise that the Bengals would be interested should Higgins leave in free agency.
Joe Burrow has the arm and gunslinger mentality to work well with Odunze. The problem for the Bengals is that Odunze may not fall to the middle of the first round, where the Bengals are currently slated to pick.
New York Giants
The Giants could go any number of ways early in the draft with needs across the offense. However, more than anything, New York could use a big receiver with contested-catch ability. Enter Odunze.
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The entire Giants’ receiving corps had 16 catches in 45 contested-catch opportunities. Odunze had 20 catches on 27 contested targets. He would immediately upgrade a young receiving corps with promise but no one with the skill set that Odunze possesses.
Chicago Bears
Whether the Bears roll with Justin Fields or take their pick of the top quarterback in the draft, they’ll need another top receiving threat to pair with DJ Moore. The Bears love to take shots down the field, and Odunze’s average target depth was 15.6 as a senior.
Given Chicago’s position in the draft and desire to upgrade its passing offense, the Bears are prime candidates to target Odunze with their second pick early in the first round.
Strengths
- Displays a bulked-up powerful frame and a massive wingspan that gives him one of the biggest catch radius in the class.
- Effectively uses his upper body to sell routes and create some separation, which is uncommon for receivers with as much size as he has.
- Elite concentration and fast-twitch reaction ability on passes that require him to contort his body.
- Plus body control allows him to make acrobatic catches that most would have no chance at completing.
- Dominates at the catch point with his strength, size, and concentration. He’s a major threat on back-shoulder fades.
- Capable of winning on double moves thanks to solid footwork and attention to detail.
- Can box out cornerbacks on slants and other sharp-breaking routes.
Weaknesses
- He’s a bit of a workout warrior because his speed and explosiveness don’t translate to separation.
- Most of his big plays relied on him finishing through contact or requiring masterful nuance on the sideline because he doesn’t have the burst of speed to rely on.
- Will require an accurate and trusting quarterback that will target him regardless of the defender’s leverage.
- Does not create much after the catch and often goes down at the catch point.