New York Jets Draft Prospect: Washington Receiver Rome Odunze

The New York Jets are expected to meet with highly-touted receiver prospect Rome Odunze prior to the NFL Draft.

Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Rome Odunze (1) catches a pass. / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Despite signing coveted free agent wideout Mike Williams to a one-year contract earlier this month, the New York Jets are likely to seek some additional help at receiver via the NFL Draft. 

As this year’s class is considered to be rich in receiver talent, the Jets may look to the early or mid-rounds to secure some much-needed assistance for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. 

Should the Jets prioritize the position in April’s draft, one name they may be smart to consider is Washington’s Rome Odunze

Per multiple reports, Odunze is set to meet with the Jets in the near future. The 6-3, 215-pound receiver visited with the New York Giants following the NFL Scouting Combine and has visits with the Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears lined up, as well. 

Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Rome Odunze (1) / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, Odunze logged 87 catches for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Huskies as the top target for quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. The 21-year-old is best known for his ability to make plays along the boundary. Odunze is capable of using his size to box out opposing defenders and secure back shoulder throws to the outside. He is also quite skilled at making contested catches. While some scouts have questioned whether he possesses enough speed to separate from pro-level cornerbacks, his running of the 40 in 4.45 helped to quell some concerns. Though Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison, Jr. and LSU’s Malik Nabers are largely considered to be the top two receiver prospects in this year’s class, Odunze is considered an early first-round selection. 

In the wake of Rodgers’ season-ending torn Achilles in Week 1 last season, New York’s pass-catchers struggled due to poor quarterback playand ineffective talent management. In fact, Pro Football Focus ranked them 31 of 32 NFL teams. The exception to the rule, star receiver Garrett Wilson, caught 95 passes for 1,042 yards and three touchdowns.

However, the Jets failed to receive notable contributions from the remaining components of their positional depth chart — most notably Allen Lazard, who despite signing a four-year, $44 million deal with New York last offseason, logged only 23 catches for 311 yards and one touchdown.

In addition to Wilson, Williams and Lazard — who is reportedly on the trade block — the Jets currently employ Xavier Gipson, Jason Brownlee, Irvin Charles, Lance McCutcheon and Malik Taylor on their depth chart.