Breaking News: Denver Broncos Acquire 21-Year-Old Wide Receiver for Undisclosed Fee

One potential target for the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft is Rome Odunze, a former Washington Huskies wide receiver.

Standing at 6-3 and weighing 212 pounds, Odunze is regarded as one of the premier pass catchers in this draft class. He is ranked as the third-best prospect in the 2024 NFL draft and the second-best wide receiver by NFL Network’s lead draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah.

All roads lead to Rome 📈🔥@RomeOdunze highlights ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/NH8Fn1QXzh

— Washington Football (@UW_Football) March 21, 2024

Having played four seasons at Washington, Odunze emerged as one of the nation’s top wide receivers. Throughout his collegiate career, he amassed 214 receptions for 3,272 yards and 24 touchdowns. In his most recent season, Odunze had a breakout performance, recording 92 receptions for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns.

NFL Network’s lead draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah has high praise for Rome Odunze, describing him as a big, athletic wide receiver with exceptional hands. He notes that Odunze can play both outside and in the slot, showcasing his versatility.

Jeremiah highlights Odunze’s refined skills, including his variety of releases at the line of scrimmage and his clean route running. He also praises Odunze’s strength, which allows him to separate from defenders after the break point. Jeremiah emphasizes Odunze’s ability to thrive in traffic, noting his skill in catching the ball and absorbing hits over the middle of the field.

He also mentions Odunze’s impressive adjustments on poorly thrown balls and his natural tracking ability over his shoulder. After the catch, Jeremiah notes Odunze’s toughness and elusiveness, making him difficult to bring down. Overall, Jeremiah sees Odunze as a complete player and compares him to the legendary Larry Fitzgerald in terms of his college performance.

Rome Odunze, the Washington wide receiver, possesses elite ball skills and good size, standing out as a team captain who consistently dominated his competition. His strength lies in his ability to excel in contested catches and jump balls, showcasing exceptional positioning, body control, hand strength, timing, and mid-air adjustments.

Despite his tendency to sometimes cruise through routes, his speed, honed from his time as a decorated high school sprinter, is not a concern for his NFL prospects. As a high-volume target, Odunze could exploit mismatches against finesse cornerbacks at the next level. Given his elite ball skills, he could potentially become a top-flight WR1 and an immediate Day 1 starter in the NFL.

Considering the Denver Broncos’ 12th overall pick in the draft, Odunze could be a strong choice if he’s available and the team opts not to select a quarterback. Adding a big, physical playmaking wide receiver like Odunze would give the Broncos a standout talent at the position, especially considering the future uncertainties surrounding Tim Patrick’s free agency and Courtland Sutton’s contract. However, the Broncos have numerous needs, with quarterback topping the list, and the deep wide receiver class in this draft suggests they could find playmakers in later rounds.

Additionally, considering Odunze’s potential, it’s likely he’ll be off the board before the Broncos pick, making him a less likely choice for the team. Other teams like the Giants, Titans, Falcons, and Bears, who pick ahead of the Broncos, may find Odunze a more suitable fit for their needs. Overall, while Odunze is a compelling prospect, the Broncos may not be the best fit for him in this draft.