Rome Odunze has been getting a lot of respect from NFL pundits on TV. The University of Washington wide receiver has climbed draft boards over the past couple months, and many doubt he’ll make it out of the top 8. In fact, in ESPN analyst, Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft, Odunze is scooped up at #6 overall by the New York Giants. The rise in stock for Odunze begs the question: should he be the top WR drafted next month?
3 minutes of Rome Odunze highlights because why not ⚡️
🎥: @CFBAlerts_ pic.twitter.com/AM48KIe58E https://t.co/L75Zfd8tO9
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) March 8, 2024
What does Rome Odunze bring to the table?
If you’ve ever seen Rome Odunze play, you should know how good he is. Standing 6’3″ and running like a gazelle, the Washington receiver was as un-guardable of a WR you’d see. His 4.45 forty yard-dash time doesn’t do his game speed justice. He runs great routes and is elite after the catch; add to that his huge frame and ability to go make contested catches, and you have a top level pass catcher.
Odunze can line up in the slot or beat a cornerback who is playing press man coverage. His double moves are as smooth as any receiver in the county; he is someone defenses couldn’t stop but only hope to contain. This was evident last season as he topped the century mark ten times on his way to 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns on 92 receptions.
Is Odunze better than Marvin Harrison Jr. and/or Malik Nabers?
Rome Odunze’s ability aside, the next question is whether or not he is better than the consensus top two receivers, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers. If you look at the hundreds of mock drafts online, you’ll see Odunze creep into the top two receiver spot every so often, but should he be viewed more consistently in one of those positions?
Marvin Harrison Jr 2023 Highlights! #OhioState #NFLDraft #Buckeyes #football #SportsNews pic.twitter.com/PrewqGtUju
— KD (@KD_AllAccess) March 17, 2024
When it comes to Harrison, there is obviously a lot to like. For years, he’s been the guy that everyone has been pointing to as the next greatest receiver of his generation. There’s nothing he can’t do. He’s already as good as most NFL receivers in almost every aspect of the game. His routes are crisp; he’s fast and athletic, and smooth out of his breaks; he can out jump any defender covering him, and he will go up and get the ball like Randy Moss. But lately there have been whispers…
Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze are both more electric than Harrison Jr. and better homerun hitters from anywhere on the field. Then add the fact that Harrison Jr. declined participating at the NFL Combine (which wasn’t surprising) and his choice to forego his pro day at Ohio State. Some NFL coaches and GMs are reportedly a bit miffed; will that be enough for him to lose his grip on that top WR spot?
Fuck it, Malik Nabers WR1 highlight tape @whyguard13 pic.twitter.com/aWMsEhmvwO
— Boppa 🧟♂️ (@ihatebbls) November 20, 2023
Malik Nabers has gained traction as of late and is being projected ahead of Harrison Jr. more often than he was a few weeks ago. The edge that Nabers has over Harrison is his ability to break a long play at any time from any part of the gridiron. His ability to outrun people and get into the endzone after the catch makes him an intriguing pick. In the current NFL, speed and athleticism come at a premium, and Nabers is speed and athleticism.
When it comes to Rome Odunze in comparison to Nabers, the similarities are evident. They are both fast, athletic, good leaders who can make the big plays. Odunze does have Nabers by about three inches, and in the NFL where most corners are at least 6’0″, having Rome at 6’3″ with his ability is pretty enticing.
What will happen on draft day?
When it all comes down to it, Harrison Jr. will probably be the first to go with Nabers and Odunze battling for the title of “second receiver off the board.” But with still over a month to go until the draft, anything can happen. It will be be interesting to look back in five years and compare the careers of these three game changing receivers.
