In the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots face a pivotal decision with their early picks, drafting in the top five picks for the first time since 1994 when they selected USC linebacker Willie McGinnest. McGinnest would go on to be a Hall of Famer. While some argue for selecting a new quarterback to revitalize the offense, others advocate for bolstering the receiving corps, which has been depleted in recent seasons, while adding a veteran QB via free agency.
Among the top wide receiver prospects in this year’s draft class is Rome Odunze from the University of Washington. His potential pairing with the Patriots has generated excitement, with Odunze expressing optimism about the prospect during draft preparations at the Super Bowl.
Odunze recently spoke with Patriots Insider Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston and was asked about the idea of joining the Patriots.
“It would be awesome, especially because I’m a West Coast kid. I’ve always wanted to go out to the East Coast and be able to enjoy some of the different things the East Coast has to offer,” Odunze explained to Perry.
“It would be a completely new experience, and I think that would be fun. And to play for a team that’s had so much success in the past and so many great players come through there and Hall of Famers, I would love to be able to play in that standard and play for a fanbase that is passionate and loves the game. I think those different aspects about it create such a desirable location.”
How Good Can Odunze Be?
NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah recently released a list of his top 50 NFL Draft prospects, and he listed Odunze third behind USC QB Caleb Williams and WR Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State. Jeremiah had a flattering comparison to an NFL pass-catching legend when describing what he likes about Odunze.
“Odunze is a big, athletic wideout with exceptional hands. He can play outside or in the slot. He is refined and polished in everything he does on the field. He uses a variety of releases at the line of scrimmage and is a clean route runner”, wrote Jeremiah.
“He uses his strength to lean into defenders before separating out of the breakpoint. He thrives in traffic, possessing the ability to pluck the football and absorb big shots over the middle of the field. He makes some incredible adjustments on poorly thrown balls. He tracks naturally over his shoulder. After the catch, he is very tough to bring down and has some nifty make-miss ability. He plays with a ton of passion and energy. Overall, Odunze is a complete player and reminds me of Larry Fitzgerald coming out of college.”
A comparison to NFL legend Larry Fitzgerald is undoubtedly high praise coming from Jeremiah. This evaluation underscores Odunze’s potential impact and highlights the Patriots’ opportunity to infuse their offense with a dynamic playmaker who can contribute immediately while potentially adding more picks by trading the number three pick.
