2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Rome Odunze

Rome Odunze




  • Rome Odunze, 6-3/201
  • Wide Receiver
  • Washington

Rome Odunze Scouting Report

By Charlie Campbell

Strengths:

  • Phenomenal back-shoulder receiver
  • Superb at winning 50-50 passes
  • Very skilled at making catches over defensive backs
  • Tracks the ball extremely well
  • Well-developed route-running
  • Advanced technique
  • Tracks the ball well
  • Late hands
  • Body control
  • Can make some highlight-reel catches
  • Good size; lanky build
  • Gritty, competitive syle
  • Dangerous run-after-the-catch skills
  • Nose for the red zone

Weaknesses:

  • Lacks elite speed
  • Lacks some twitch
  • Could struggle to separate from NFL defensive backs

Prospect Summary:

With the arrival of Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback, Odunze broke out for the Huskies in 2022, catching 75 passes for 1,145 yards and seven touchdowns. That was a huge jump in production over 2021, when Odunze totaled 41 catches for 415 yards and four touchdowns. In 2023, Odunze was even better, making a ton of clutch plays to help lead the Huskies to the National Championship. He hauled in 92 catches for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns on the year.

There is no doubt that Odunze is a mismatch option and a problem in coverage. He is a tremendous back-shoulder receiver who is a superb weapon to work the sideline. Odunze uses his size to shield the ball from defenders and shows great concentration to make catches with cornerbacks battling him. Odunze is a phenomenal weapon to run fades and back-shoulder go routes down the sideline.

Immediately, Odunze’s size and ability to win contested catches jumps out. He is tall, long, lean, and has leaping ability to make contested catches over defensive backs. With a large catch radius, Odunze shows nice body control and the ability to adjust to high point the ball over corners to snatch passes for chunk completions. He makes catches in traffic routinely, showing zero hesitation or fear knowing that hits are coming. Odunze displays a natural ability to track the ball and has late hands to not tip off cornerbacks that the ball is about to arrive.

After the catch, Odunze is a nice contributor who utilizes his size to fight through tackles and pick up yards after contact. Odunze has good feel to know which way to break and cut after making a catch to give himself more space for yardage. He is tough and physical as a runner showing the ability to plow through defensive backs to get extra yardage. On wide receiver screens, Odunze is very capable to get upfield for good gains.

In the 2024 NFL Draft, Odunze could be a top-16 pick and won’t get out of the first round.

Prospect Comparison:

Mike Evans. Odunze reminds me of Evans with his style of play, but I do not believe Odunze will be as good as the future Hall of Famer. However, I think Evans is faster and is better at separating from coverage through route-running. Odunze could be a good pro receiver who might be a poor-man’s version of Evans.





RELATED LINKS:




NFL Picks - Dec. 9


NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9


2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 4


2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29


Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4