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How High Can Odunze Rise In A Stacked Receiver Class?

The NFL Draft class of 2024 is full of talented receivers, so where does Rome Odunze fit in?
Roman Tomashoff|
How High Can Odunze Rise In A Stacked Receiver Class?
How High Can Odunze Rise In A Stacked Receiver Class?

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Washington Huskies

The NFL's community of draft analysts and talent evaluators have been drooling over Rome Odunze. Washington's 6-foot-3, 217-pound receiver has received a ton of hype over the offseason and has been named to Athlon and Walter Camp's Preseason All-America first teams.

After deciding to return to Montlake for the 2023 season, he has been one of the hottest topics of discussion in what should end up being a talent-rich group of wide receivers. Ranked as high as second and as low as eighth by different evaluators, where will Odunze be at the end of the season?

"Rome is a baller," one draft analyst said after going through his film. The receiver has made significant strides in his development since Kalen DeBoer and wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard arrived and has some things to improve on after pulling in 75 catches for 1,145 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022.

In the spring, Shephard told the media that the biggest thing that Odunze needed to work on was being more physical at the catch point. "He's a 217-pound receiver and I told him he better play like he's a 217-pound receiver," Shephard said.

When talking to the same analyst, he said that Odunze's physicality was the biggest thing he saw that needs improvement. When that same quote from Shephard was shared, he said, "That's massive, because he has all the traits of a future No. 1." 

Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. has been the consensus No. 1 receiver across the board and seems to be the only player at the position that analysts have been able to agree on. That gives Odunze a big opportunity to make a name for himself.

With another strong season, he should continue to rise up draft boards and has the traits, production and skill set to be considered one of the top three players at the position by the time the 2023 season comes to a close. Odunze could also end up hearing his name called in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. 

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Roman Tomashoff
ROMAN TOMASHOFF

I've followed the Huskies for my entire life, and to be in a position where I get to cover them full-time is nothing short of an honor. After graduating from Lasell University in 2019, I moved to Seattle to pursue my dream of working in sports media. While writing for the Husky Haul, I also covered local sports for the Everett Daily Herald before the COVID-19 pandemic. After being hired by Realdawg.com in February of 2021, I also transitioned into doing a lot of entertainment writing, as I work on a variety of magazines as a contributing writer for Centennial Media, and have also contributed to Emmy Magazine, as well as Walt Disney Television Studios. 

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