Rome Odunze

Summary

Rome Odunze was selected in Round 1 (#9 Overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft, 9th overall out of the University of Washington. A former three-star recruit, Odunze developed into one of the most dominant wide receivers in college football. During his collegiate career, he totaled 2,785 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns, culminating in a historic 2023 season with 92 receptions, 1,640 yards, and 13 touchdowns, leading the nation in receiving yards. He earned First-Team All-American, First-Team All-Pac-12, and was a Biletnikoff Award finalist, while playing a central role in Washington’s College Football Playoff National Championship appearance. Odunze entered the NFL widely viewed as one of the most complete receiver prospects in his class, blending size, athleticism, ball skills, and competitiveness. He is praised universally for his professional approach, toughness, work ethic, and leadership, often cited by coaches and teammates as a tone-setter in preparation and practice. His maturity, confidence, and team-first mindset project strongly to a long-term WR1 profile at the professional level as long as his father stays off social media.

Strengths

• Elite Ball Skills: Outstanding hands, timing, and body control. Uses elite kinesthetic sense to consistently win at the catch point and box out defenders.

• Contested-Catch Dominance: Physical, fearless receiver who thrives in traffic and tight coverage. xcellent toe-tap and boundary control on vertical and comeback routes.

• Route Detail: As a more physical X receiver, still operates as a polished route runner with strong pacing, leverage manipulation, and break efficiency.

• Physicality & IQ: Willing blocker and tough runner after the catch. Advanced understanding of coverage and situational football.

Weaknesses

• Sudden Separation vs. Elites: More smooth than explosive and relies on technique and physicality over sudden twitch.

• YAC Creativity: Productive after the catch but not a dynamic open-field creator.

• Top-End Burst: Fast enough vertically with his 9.92 RAS score but not a true burner who consistently runs away from coverage.

• Release vs. Elite Press: Physical press corners can challenge him early in routes. Will need to continue to develop his hand usage to combat the jam.

Outlook

Odunze is an ideal fit for NFL offenses that value physical perimeter receivers who can win both in structure and in critical moments. He thrives in systems that emphasize timing, vertical shots, back-shoulder throws, and play-action concepts, where his size, ball skills, and reliability can be fully leveraged. Odunze’s ability to function as a true X receiver allows offensive coordinators flexibility in formation and coverage manipulation. Looking ahead, Odunze projects as a franchise WR1 with Pro Bowl and All-Pro upside. While his game is not built purely on speed or separation, his combination of polish, toughness, and ball dominance gives him a high floor and elite ceiling. As chemistry develops with Caleb Williams and the offense stabilizes, Odunze has the traits to become a long-term offensive centerpiece capable of anchoring a passing game and elevating an entire offense.