Rome Odunze Visiting Jets, Bears, Cardinals Before NFL Draft; Skipped Pro Day Workout
Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRT
Featured Columnist IVMarch 29, 2024
Rome Odunze is expected to be one of the first wide receivers off the board at the 2024 NFL draft in April, and more than a few teams are interested in meeting with him.
The former Washington star told ESPN's Brady Henderson that he already visited with the New York Giants following the NFL Scouting Combine and has visits with the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets and Chicago Bears lined up.
The Giants have the No. 6 overall pick in the draft, while the Cardinals are at No. 4 but a trade-back contender given the number of highly-regarded quarterbacks in this year's draft. The Jets hold the No. 10 overall selection and the Bears sit at No. 1 and 9, though they'll almost assuredly address the quarterback position with their first pick.
The prevailing belief seems to be that Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. and LSU's Malik Nabers will be the top two wideouts off the board, though the jury is out on which will go first.
The B/R NFL Scouting Department had Harrison ranked No. 1 overall on its latest big board, while Nabers was No. 7 and Odunze was No. 8. Harrison was considered to have the best hands, be the best route-runner and be the most pro-ready, explaining his high grade.
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com, meanwhile, had Harrison ranked as the No. 2 overall player on his latest big board, Odunze No. 3 and Nabers No. 4. But that trio seems to be very close in Jeremiah's evaluations.
Pat McAfee @PatMcAfeeShow"I will not be surprised if some teams have Malik Nabers as the top WR in this draft..<br><br>I've stuck with Marvin Harrison Jr as the top WR from start to finish" ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/MoveTheSticks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoveTheSticks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PMSLive?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PMSLive</a> <a href="https://t.co/1Iv9SSCrmK">pic.twitter.com/1Iv9SSCrmK</a>
Jordan Raanan @JordanRaananSpoke with two WR coaches at combine and asked them who they would take: Malik Nabers vs Rome Odunze. Both said Nabers because of his explosiveness. He's going to make the first guy miss every time. It's special. <a href="https://t.co/uflHR2TGij">https://t.co/uflHR2TGij</a>
He projected the Jets to trade up to No. 5 overall to draft Harrison in his latest mock draft—though it should be noted that the team has since signed Mike Williams to pair with Garrett Wilson, perhaps making them less likely to make such a big splash for a wideout at the draft—and then mocked Nabers to the Giants at No. 6 and Odunze to the Bears at No. 9.
Albert Breer @AlbertBreerThe Giants had a BIG crew in Seattle for Washington QB Michael Penix and WR Rome Odunze's Pro Day. In the group: HC Brian Daboll, OC Mike Kafka, QBs coach Shea Tierney, WRs coach Mike Groh, plus GM Joe Schoen, ass't GM Brandon Brown and director of player personnel Tim McDonnell.
Odunze, 21, was one of the stars at the combine, running a 4.45 40-yard dash, posting a 39" vertical jump and a 10'4" broad jump. He didn't work out during Washington's pro day, letting his combine work do the talking.
His tape is impressive as well, as he posted 92 receptions for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns in Washington's explosive offense this past season. It was his second straight year with over 1,000 receiving yards.
Given that there are plenty of teams with a need for playmaking wideouts, it's very possible—perhaps even likely—that Harrison, Nabers and Odunze will all be off the board in the first 10 picks. It's a good year to have a top-10 pick for wideout-needy teams.