Rome Odunze Scouting Report

By: Michael Higgins

(Image courtesy of Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports)

School: Washington

Class: Junior

Position: WR

HT: 6’3

WT: 215 lbs

Sideline Prospect Ranking: #23

Background: Rome Odunze is a big body that fits the true X receiver mold. Odunze is from Las Vegas, Nevada and attended the high school football powerhouse, Bishop Gorman High School. Odunze was the No. 2 prospect out of Nevada in his high school class, behind former Georgia TE Darnell Washington. Both MaxPreps and Gatorade named him their Nevada Player of the Year for the 2019 season. He also returned 11 punts in his senior season of high school, averaging 22.1 yards per return. A 4-star recruit, Odunze had a wide variety of scholarships to choose from. Odunze ultimately chose to play for Washington over schools such as Oklahoma, Florida, and Miami.

College: Due to the covid-shortened season, Odunze did not provide a significant impact as a freshman in 2020, but he still saw action in all four games. In his second season, he saw an increase in opportunity as he started 7 of his team’s 9 games. He was a consistent presence that managed to hit the 50 yard mark in most games. Odunze led the Huskies in receiving (1,145) in 2022. On top of being the most productive receiver on the team and having one of the best seasons in program history, Odunze was also a member of the All-Academic Team. Odunze solidified himself as a top receiver in this draft class after his 2023 season, a year that saw him headline an undefeated Washington team and was one of the most efficient players at his position.

Strengths: On top of being a physically dominant wide receiver, Odunze is also an efficient route runner. He creates sharp cuts with no shuffling of his feet before the change of direction. He is a difficult player for any defense to read, he is virtually unpredictable on the football field. Odunze runs hard and has no wasted movements. When Odunze gets vertical, he is able to stack the corner and gain leverage while also tracking the football. He has sticky hands and can catch just about any football. Odunze high points the football with ease and can make catches away from his body. Odunze can be used all over the offense. He is used in motion, he is used in the quick game with screen passes, he is also kicked into the slot. Odunze is a fantastic vertical threat but he is also a weapon with the ball in his hands.

Weaknesses: With what Rome Odunze provides in physicality and ball skills, he lacks in speed. Odunze is not going to win many, if any, reps with speed. He will need to stick to the perimeter where he can work on defensive backs with his strength and agile route running.

Conclusion: Rome Odunze can be a proficient X Receiver in the NFL if put in the correct system. He has all of the tools to be a success right out of the gate but he will also be a project as he lacks in certain areas that many new age receivers are strong in.

Scheme Fit: Air Raid Offense

Ideal Role: X Receiver

Best Team Fits: CAR, CHI, NYG

Player Comparison: Dez Bryant

Player Grade: 87.2