Chargers News: Sleeper WR Pick for Bolts Impresses NFL Scouts
The Los Angeles Chargers are set to pick #5 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. While there is a wealth of talent that can be selected at that number, there are many who believe that the team will pick a wide receiver.
Keenan Allen could find himself on another team and rookie Quentin Johnston failed to impress in his first year. This means that the Chargers will need someone else for QB Justin Herbert to target downfield.
Most of the conversations about WRs in this draft has been about Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. and LSU's Malik Nabers, both of whom have been tied to the Chargers. However, there could be a sleeper pick in Washington Huskies Rome Odunze. Odunze managed to impress NFL scouts, who had this to say about him:
"Starting at the top here, we have to remember height and weight must be factored into every combine performance. Odunze was one of the largest wideouts in this collection of receivers at 6-3 and 212 pounds. He ran 4.45, which rocks for his size, but was slower relative to how fast many others ran. His 39-inch vertical was no joke and matches the film. But his 10-4 broad was one of the shorter in the group. The three-cone of 6.88 is silly at his size."
Odunze impressed scouts with his agility and speed while being on the heavier side at 212 pounds. Big receivers are often stellar when it comes to contested catches, and Herbert loves to air the ball out.
Odunze has been on a lot of analysts' radars, including Matt "Money" Smith, who said Odunze would impress at the combine.
A strong combine performance doesn't mean that Odunze will be great in the NFL, but he did finish his 2023 campaign with 1,640 yards and 13 TDs.
The Chargers have also flirted with trading back with one of the QB-hungry teams to ensure they get even more draft capital to use. Should they trade back with someone like the Falcons or Raiders, they could still select Odunze, who could be an immediate impact player.
Hopefully, his combine performance is enough to showcase the elite skills he will have when it comes to the professional level.
