Whether it was on a key third down or looking downfield for a big play, Rome Odunze was the guy. Featured in one of the nation’s best offenses with Penix, Odunze erupted the past two seasons for the Huskies. The 21-year-old redshirt junior at 6’3″ and 215 lbs. has plenty to offer for a team that is lacking a reliable plug-and-play weapon in their offense.
NFL Draft Profile: Washington WR Rome Odunze
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College Career Summary
Rome Odunze’s freshman year was considered a redshirt year due to COVID-19 in 2020, with the amount of games shortened. The lone start he had that season earned him more playing time in his sophomore year, where the Washington receiver started seven games.
In 2022, everything changed for the Huskies. The arrival of Michael Penix Jr., who transferred from Indiana, was the difference. Odunze went from an eight-game starter as a junior to full-time in 2023.
2020-2021
In his only start against Stanford, Odunze, as a freshman, led his team with five catches for 69 yards and only played in four games. As a sophomore, the Washington pass catcher earned more starts in nine games played and showed flashes of talent. His best game that year was against Arizona State, with eight receptions for 82 yards.
2022
The Odunze- Penix connection clicked right off the bat as the dynamic duo reached career numbers together. The eight-game starter led the Huskies in receiving yards with 1,145 and 75 receptions, with seven touchdowns receiving and one rushing.
That set a single-season record as the fifth-most in receiving yards and seventh-most in receptions at the University of Washington. He earned first-team All-Pac-12 and AP All-American Third Team for the Huskies.
Odunze decided to stay for another year, and that turned out to be a great decision for him and the team. His connection with Penix grew from there, and he gained more weight while working on his route tree, translating to better play strength and execution on the field from this past season.
2023
Odunze elevated his draft stock immensely, as he led all of the FBS, including playoffs, in receiving yards with 1,640 while playing injured. He endured a slew of injuries back in September, but this didn’t result in any missed time. Odunze had a broken rib and a punctured lung during their win against Arizona and started every game this past season for the Huskies.
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His toughness was a big part of how Washington finished as the second seed in the College Football Playoff while winning a Pac-12 title over Oregon in an undefeated season.
Rome Odunze was also tied for sixth in receptions with 92 and receiving touchdowns with 13 in all of college football this past year, including playoffs. The Washington receiver averaged 17.8 yards per catch, one of the higher marks for a receiver leading their team in receptions and yards.
The 21-year-old was first-team All-Pac-12 again and consensus All-American in 2023, showing his playmaking ability with one punt return touchdown as well.
Although he didn’t win the Biletnikoff, the Huskies pass catcher was a finalist alongside LSU’s Malik Nabers and the winner, Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. Odunze and Nabers for most are right behind Harrison among the other top receivers in a loaded receiver draft class.
Rome Odunze’s Strengths
- Versatile weapon to use anywhere on the field on various play types
- Diverse route tree and sells routes hard with multiple release packages
- Ball tracking in contested one-on-one situations and mostly reliable late showing hands
Rome Odunze’s Weaknesses
- Not the most explosive or twitchy player
- Not a burner downfield with acceleration
NFL Player Comparisons
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Rookie and Fantasy Outlook
Rome Odunze is likely a top-ten pick and either the second or third receiver taken in this NFL Draft. The NFL Scouting Combine will be key for him compared to other receiver prospects.
Wide receiver-needy teams in the top ten include:
- New England Patriots
- Arizona Cardinals
- Los Angeles Chargers
- New York Giants
- Atlanta Falcons
- Tennessee Titans
- Chicago Bears
Teams like the New York Jets, Denver Broncos, and New Orleans Saints are also in play in the top 15.
For fantasy, receivers like Puka Nacua and Jordan Addison could be roles that Odunze follows, depending on the team that takes him. According to Mock Draft Database, his consensus team has been the Bears with their second first-round pick to pair with D.J. Moore at the number nine overall selection.
The role of a number two receiver in a pass-happy offense was seen with the Rams (Nacua and Cooper Kupp) and the Vikings (Addison and Justin Jefferson) this past year. Tank Dell, with Collins for the Houston Texans, and Josh Downs, with Michael Pittman for the Indianapolis Colts, are other examples of this.
Rome Odunze could be the new mold of a productive rookie receiver in fantasy.
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