Rome Odunze is a wide receiver from Washington. He is expected to be a top-15 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. He is currently No. 7 overall on our 2024 Dynasty Rookie Rankings & SuperFlex Big Board and will be a top-10 pick in fantasy football dynasty rookie drafts.
Check out our Fantasy Stock Watch for our 2024 Rookie Draft Profiles and Scouting Reports.
ROME ODUNZE DRAFT PROFILE AND NFL COMBINE RESULTS
- As a High School Prospect: Composite 4-Star, 221st overall (WR40)
- Skillset & Traits: Odunze, the top-contested catch receiver in this class, combines an insane catch radius and strong hands, making him unbeatable in traffic. He also showcases smooth route running and deceptive speed, traits that, paired with his old-school physicality as an X receiver, hint at his untapped potential and ceiling as an unfinished product.
- Production: Odunze put together 3,272 yards and 24 touchdowns on 214 receptions during his four seasons at Washington.
- NFL Combine Results: Height: 6’3″ Weight: 212 Arm: 32 1/4″ Hand: 9 1/4″
ROME ODUNZE SCOUTING REPORT
STRENGTHS:
- The best-contested catch receiver in this class
- Insane catch radius and strong hands make him unbeatable in traffic
- Nimble route runner with an expanded route tree for his size and skill set
- Old school physical X receiver
- Smooth runner who is deceptively fast for his size
- Untapped ceiling as an unfinished product
WEAKNESSES:
- Lacks elite play speed in pads and won’t take the top off the defense
- Not overly explosive vertically or intermediately to gain separation
- Can improve his play speed and strength with his body type
ROME ODUNZE PRODUCTION PROFILE
Rome Odunze was labeled as one of the best receivers in the country and helped lead Washington to a 2023 College Football Playoff National Title berth.
Odunze boasted an impressive 70.8% contested catch rate this season, the best in the country among players with at least 100 targets, according to PFF. His ability to excel in tight coverage sets him apart, consistently coming down with crucial receptions in traffic. Plus, Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. had a monster 120.8 QB rating when targeting his WR1.
In the 2022 season, Odunze showcased his talent by leading the team in receiving yards with 1,145 yards, ranking him fifth in UW single-season history, while also securing 75 receptions, the seventh-most in school history, demonstrating his reliability and impact in the passing game.
Bruce Feldman featured the former Husky in his annual College Football Freaks List, saying, “Odunze, 6-2, 216 pounds, was a terrific high school sprinter at Vegas powerhouse Bishop Gorman who won the 4A state title in the 200 meters (21.25) and the 4×100 relay (41.36). This offseason, Odunze ran a 4.34 40, a 4.19 pro agility shuttle and also did 37.1 inches on the vertical and 10-1 in the broad jump.”
Odunze elevated his game this season, setting a UW record with 1,640 receiving yards, the most in the nation, and the third-most in Pac-12 history. His remarkable consistency was evident with 92 receptions, the second-most in UW history. Odunze was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American and first-team All-Pac-12 selection.
One of Odunze’s defining moments came during a thrilling showdown against No. 8 Oregon, where he sealed their CFP berth with an acrobatic 18-yard score. This highlighted Odunze’s ability to rise to the occasion in clutch situations, cementing his status as the team’s alpha in a loaded receiver room that featured future NFL’ers Jalen McMillan, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Germie Bernard.
With multiple 100-yard games and back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons, Odunze solidified himself as one of the premier wide receivers in college football, leaving a lasting legacy at Washington.
ROME ODUNZE NFL COMBINE & RELATIVE ATHLETIC SCORE (RAS)
BOTTOM LINE
Rome Odunze landed in our second tier of wide receivers by himself, behind Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers. Still, he is another future NFL WR1 that drips in elite alpha upside. Odunze posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and totaled 20 touchdowns over that span as the top target on Washington’s crowded target totem pole.
As shown above, Odunze makes plays downfield, proven by his 18 receptions of 20-plus air yards. He’s the best-contested catch receiver in the class, with a 70.8% contested catch rate. It’s not a 50/50 ball with Odunze because he’s likely coming down with the football.
Looking and playing like the prototypical X wide receiver, Odunze is a big, physical wideout with strong hands and a crazy catch radius. He makes up for his lack of vertical speed with his smooth route running and natural ability to pluck the ball out of any situation.
Odunze lucked out with Pennix Jr. as his quarterback, but his catch radius and skill set almost make him quarterback-proof in the NFL — with shades of Mike Evans or Courtland Sutton as a comp.
The former Husky is not the perfect prospect, but he will be a touchdown machine in the NFL and have locked-in weekly fantasy upside in the league.
