“He just doesn’t look that fast.”
“He can’t separate.”
“He just seems to lack the explosiveness it takes to win in the NFL.”
Trust me, guys. I’ve said it all myself too. I watched a lot of Washington Huskies football last fall. They were can’t-miss television to me. The roster was littered with draft picks. They had a quarterback that could make breathtaking laser precise throws. They had three wide receivers who will be playing on Sundays and an offensive line with a few draft picks on it too. They were a fascinating team and, quite simply, were just a ton of fun to watch. While I thought Rome Odunze deserved to be considered among the best wide receivers in the class, nothing popped during the game broadcasts that led me to believe he would be a bona fide blue chip guy.
But, I’ve always told you guys that you just can’t evaluate wide receivers and cornerbacks from the game broadcast. It’s damn near impossible. I hadn’t conducted any tape on those vaunted Huskies receivers just yet, and that’s why I kept my opinions to myself. In a peek behind the curtain here, when I watch tape, I can only focus on one player at a time. There are so many weapons on that offense that it was impossible for me to take notes on every single guy. Michael Penix Jr. was the first guy I finished, and then I started working back through the games to watch Troy Fautanu, and now here I am, catching up on the Odunze tape.
Honestly, I was wrong. After watching a few games, I think he absolutely is a blue chip prospect, and I’ve actually got him at WR2 in this draft class behind Marvin Harrison Jr.. You guys have probably heard the stats by now…1,640 receiving yards…13 touchdowns…he’s 6’3” and 200 pounds..he had the third highest contested catch rate in the country at 75%. The guy has some credentials. But, the tape provides the context, and to me, the context reveals a prospect that is far more polished and well-rounded than I initially thought.
Rome Odunze Scouting Report
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