2024 NFL Draft Profile - WR Rome Odunze

[Mike FF Today 721]

Another WR expected to hear his name called early in the first round NFL Draft...

WR Rome Odunze

[polecatt 474]

He looks excellent on paper. I know he had a big season the last two years as well.

One thing that I found confusing though on his scouting report.

His scouting report said he didn't seem to get separation downfield or had the deep speed, but he was the best deep ball WR in the nation?

[The Football Guru 222]

Correct. Penix trusted him (and all of his WRs, for that matter) and Odunze made contested catch after contested catch. Odunze caught a FBS-best 21 of his 28 contested catch targets. I don't have a yardage total to give you, but a lot of his deep catches were contested catches. Nine of his 23 deep catches were contested, per PFF. It sure seemed like it was more watching every one of his targets, so I wonder how PFF determines what makes for a contested catch.

[Maximum Overkill 1,741]

11 hours ago, polecatt said:

His scouting report said he didn't seem to get separation downfield or had the deep speed, but he was the best deep ball WR in the nation?

My fear as well. I'm not sure he can rely on that against NFL CBs. I've heard a few AJ Brown comps which aren't bad but he's got a lot to prove before I go there. 

Strengths in Rome Odunze Scouting Report

• The elite size/speed combination allows him to embrace physicality.
• Wins vertically and tracks balls well.
• Transitions quickly and is dangerous after the catch.

Weaknesses in Rome Odunze Scouting Report

• Washington's offense schemed receivers open with a limited route tree.
• Can he generate quick separation at the NFL level?
• Will need to gain strength to play with physicality in the NFL.

[polecatt 474]

9 hours ago, The Football Guru said:

Correct. Penix trusted him (and all of his WRs, for that matter) and Odunze made contested catch after contested catch. Odunze caught a FBS-best 21 of his 28 contested catch targets. I don't have a yardage total to give you, but a lot of his deep catches were contested catches. Nine of his 23 deep catches were contested, per PFF. It sure seemed like it was more watching every one of his targets, so I wonder how PFF determines what makes for a contested catch.

Thanks for the clarification. Sounds like a major red flag to me. That's the sort of thing that he probably won't be able to get away with in the NFL like he did in college.

[polecatt 474]

2 hours ago, Maximum Overkill said:

My fear as well. I'm not sure he can rely on that against NFL CBs. I've heard a few AJ Brown comps which aren't bad but he's got a lot to prove before I go there. 

Strengths in Rome Odunze Scouting Report

• The elite size/speed combination allows him to embrace physicality.
• Wins vertically and tracks balls well.
• Transitions quickly and is dangerous after the catch.

Weaknesses in Rome Odunze Scouting Report

• Washington's offense schemed receivers open with a limited route tree.
• Can he generate quick separation at the NFL level?
• Will need to gain strength to play with physicality in the NFL.

I'll believe that when I see it. He doesn't appear to have AJ Brown's build and strength. He may at the college level but in the NFL that's a different story

[Maximum Overkill 1,741]

4 hours ago, polecatt said:

I'll believe that when I see it. He doesn't appear to have AJ Brown's build and strength. He may at the college level but in the NFL that's a different story

Agree. I think Odunze will be a very good pro someday, perhaps a high end WR2 low end WR1. I'll like him a lot better if he pairs with Caleb Williams for the next several years. 

[The Football Guru 222]

5 hours ago, polecatt said:

Thanks for the clarification. Sounds like a major red flag to me. That's the sort of thing that he probably won't be able to get away with in the NFL like he did in college.

The guy is an absolute grinder, so I see how teams are falling in love with him. I also have heard comments about how he heard criticism about his contested-catch ability last year, so he went out of his way this year to prove it wasn't an issue. I am not sure I am buying that. But I do see where people are making comps to Davante Adams and Keenan Allen. He says he studies them as much as any receiver, and you can see it with some of the things he does with his footwork.

I think Odunze will be a very good NFL receiver, but I am not on board with the people who say it is difficult to find a hole in his game. We are not talking about Calvin Johnson here.

[Ray_T 740]

well, if he doesnt get open, he could still find himself useful.

Dez Bryant wasnt a great route runner, but Romo would have him run to a spot on the field and then throw it up so he can high point the ball.   so even if fully covered, he still makes the catch (if he has the kind of QB that can do that)

Not saying that is the situation here.  I have not looked at much other than the scouting report, but a good accurate QB can make use of a guy like who can high point the ball and win those battles even if the rest of his development does not happen.

[The Football Guru 222]

On 4/19/2024 at 11:00 PM, Ray_T said:

well, if he doesnt get open, he could still find himself useful.

Dez Bryant wasnt a great route runner, but Romo would have him run to a spot on the field and then throw it up so he can high point the ball.   so even if fully covered, he still makes the catch (if he has the kind of QB that can do that)

Not saying that is the situation here.  I have not looked at much other than the scouting report, but a good accurate QB can make use of a guy like who can high point the ball and win those battles even if the rest of his development does not happen.

Definitely.

I believe I watched every one of his targets from this past season. It's been a bit since I did his write-up, but I don't recall him running by too many folks. In short, it would be silly for me to assume he can separate consistently when I haven't seen it, so it surprises me some believe he was tempo-ing his routes and purposely not trying to separate very often. I'm of the mind if you can blow by your defender, you do it whenever possible.

[Ray_T 740]

23 minutes ago, The Football Guru said:

Definitely.

I believe I watched every one of his targets from this past season. It's been a bit since I did his write-up, but I don't recall him running by too many folks. In short, it would be silly for me to assume he can separate consistently when I haven't seen it, so it surprises me some believe he was tempo-ing his routes and purposely not trying to separate very often. I'm of the mind if you can blow by your defender, you do it whenever possible.

yeah, thats nonsense.   as a WR if you can get open, thats what you do.   Its your job to do that.   if that fails, you try to outmuscle the defender, but that's got to be the Plan B.   At the NFL level the % of contested catches he makes wont likely be the same as it was in college.

so while this is a nice skillset to have, you still need other skills at the NFL level.

winning the contested catches can keep you on the field but it wont make you a #1 WR very often.

I would not draft a guy like this in round 1. (not this year anyways)   There are too many talented WR's in this years draft to pick a guy like this early (in my opinion)

I feel like his max upside is that of a very good #2 WR but there is a decent chance he ends up a #3 or #4 WR.        A prospect like this you  dont take in round 1 in my opinion.

[LaChup 229]

He'll be the number two rookie receiver, behind Nabers of course.

[TBayXXXVII 2,485]

What are your thoughts on the kid for this year and going forward and what do you think his trade value is?

 

I'm 5-0 and the highest scoring team in my league.... here's my roster (I stream TE's, DE's, & K's):
QB    Baker Mayfield
         Joe Burrow
         C.J. Stroud
         Michael Penix Jr.
RB    Saquon Barkley
         Jonathan Taylor
         Rachaad White
         Rico Dowdle
         Trey Sermon
         Tyrone Tracy Jr.
         Trey Benson
         Blake Corum
WR    Ja'Marr Chase
          Rashee Rice
          Chris Godwin
          Jaxon Smith-Njigba
          Christian Watson
          Rome Odunze

 

A couple things to keep in mind, this is a 2QB 10-team keeper league.  Since Rice is going to miss time and possibly not even worth starting (based on the unknown injury issue), the rest of the year, I'd like to make a trade for CeeDee Lamb.  Do you guys think that from both sides, Odunze for Lamb is a good deal considering that the person who has Lamb won't be able to keep Lamb next year and is currently 0-5?  I'm not really sure what to make of Odunze since I don't follow college football.  I know he was a 1st round pick in the NFL draft, but so was Jalen Reagor.

[jrokh 608]

Odunze has all the stuff you look for in a WR. Size, talent, Make-up. Really depends on what you think, ultimately, of Caleb Williams. If he develops, Odunze has WR1 traits and potential. Once they get Keenan Allen out of the way, sky is the limit...

[TBayXXXVII 2,485]

2 hours ago, jrokh said:

Odunze has all the stuff you look for in a WR. Size, talent, Make-up. Really depends on what you think, ultimately, of Caleb Williams. If he develops, Odunze has WR1 traits and potential. Once they get Keenan Allen out of the way, sky is the limit...

Worth trading Odunze for Lamb or just hang on to him?  After this season, if I don't trade him I'll be able to keep him for the remainder of his rookie contract.  If I trade for Lamb, I can only keep him 1 year at a 1st round value.

[Ray_T 740]

I think I'd take my chances with Odunze.

only reason you do the deal for Lamb(who you can only keep for 1 year) is if you think that deal puts you over the top for a championship.   at that point you swing for the fences.