This year’s college football season is right around the corner, so it’s not a bad idea to check in on which 2024 NFL draft prospects are worth watching. And New Orleans Saints fans should be paying close attention to Washington Huskies wide receiver Rome Odunze. One of the nation’s top receivers returned to school, and he’s poised to reach greater heights in the fall.
Odunze was linked to New Orleans in a recent 2024 mock draft from ESPN’s Matt Miller, who suggests he could be an ideal Michael Thomas replacement and compliment to Chris Olave:
“There was serious quarterback temptation at this spot, but if the Saints are in the playoffs, Derek Carr likely played well enough to keep the job. Instead, let’s give the veteran another receiver to target. Chris Olave is one of the brightest young receivers in the game, but while Michael Thomas can be dominant when healthy, he has been far from it since 2019 and is entering his age-30 season. Adding Thomas’ eventual replacement in the 6-3, 211-pound Odunze would keep the Saints’ offense running smoothly.
Odunze caught 75 passes for 1,145 yards and seven scores in 2022 and opted to return to Washington for his senior year. He runs his routes with strength, excellent timing and great body control, and I could see him rising into WR2 territory (behind Marvin Harrison Jr.) by season’s end.”
Odunze is someone we’ve highlighted before; he shares a lot of athletic traits with Jonathan Mingo, who the Saints were poised to select at No. 40 overall this year before the Carolina Panthers jumped in to pair him with Bryce Young. Like Thomas and Mingo he’s tall and strong, but with real speed in the open field and proven college production. He’s rightfully seen as one of the top receivers in the upcoming draft class, so tune in when his Huskies kick off with Boise State in a nationally-broadcast game on Sept. 2.
Will receiver be a need in 2024, though? It’s impossible to say so right now. There are too many “if’s” in place to resolve first. If Michael Thomas can stay healthy and productive, the position becomes more of a long-term need. If Rashid Shaheed excels in a larger role, the Saints can get rare production from him and Olave on their rookie contracts. If A.T. Perry or Shaq Davis proves they belong in the lineup, New Orleans might look to address other positions in the early rounds. For now, we’ll just make note of Odunze as a very fun player to watch who could possibly keep wearing a gold helmet once he turns pro.
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