2024 NFL Draft Profile: Wide Receiver Rome Odunze, Washington
Strengths, weaknesses and a summary of wide receiver Rome Odunze.
Rome Odunze
Position: Wide Receiver
School: Washington
Play Style: Outside X-Receiver
Age: 21
DOB: 6/2/2002
Height: 6'3
Weight: 212 lbs
40-Time: 4.45
FantasySP Position Ranking: 3
Round Projected: 1
NFL Comp: Davante Adams
Summary
We have heard Odunze compared to greats like Larry Fitzgerald and Davante Adams throughout this draft process. While those are fair comparisons, it is based on physical talent. He will need to work hard to become anywhere near the player that either man was.
In what may not be a coincidence based on their success, those two were known as two of the hardest workers in the league, which couldn't be more apparent if you watch Adam's early career film and compare it to the receiver he would become in his prime.
Physically, Odunze has all the makings of a potentially dominant WR1 in the NFL, however, his route running will have to improve for him to become the top guy teams are hoping to get with what will likely be a top-10 pick. While he will physically be a nightmare for any defensive back to deal with, his route running is strong but lacks the subtle nuances that made players like Fitz and Adams special and separated them from the back despite not having that burner breakaway speed.
Strengths
- Ideal size for an NFL wide receiver
- Excellent strength and physicality
- Is able to dominate defensive backs on 50/50 balls
- Strong hands
- Quick hands to snatch the ball out of the air
- Large catch radius
- Impressive ball skills
- Tracks the ball well
- Excels on all three levels of the field
- Elite playmaking ability
- Shows an innate ability to create separation quickly
- Great body control
- Exploits zone defenses with ease
- Has the skill set to become a problem for defenses after the catch with the ball in his hands
- Strong leader
Weaknesses
- Routes at times lack intricacies needed to be elite
- Good but not elite-level speed
- Struggles at times when hand-fighting with defensive backs at the line of scrimmage
- Is not as good of a blocker as he should be for such a strong athlete
- His pre-cut and top-of-route moves could use some refining
- Doesn't explode off the line
- Tends to not always play at top speed
Our Take
There is no reason Odunze shouldn't become a star in the NFL as a top-end WR1. His game does need a bit of refining but nothing that can't be accomplished by putting some work in early in his young career.
All things equal, we don't expect him to play at the level of Marvin Harrison Jr. or Malik Nabers right out of the gates, but wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't come close to closing that gap after a year or two in the NFL.
Where he will flash as a superstar almost immediately is when you see his playmaking skills and physicality when battling for the ball against defenders. There is also no reason why he shouldn't become a YAC monster which would be a devastating element to add to his game.
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