A plethora of wide receiver prospects will be on display in the CFP semifinal games
It’s fitting that the four participants in the College Football Playoff have an abundance of future NFL draft picks on their rosters. This year’s final four is especially loaded at one particular position.
There will be many wide receivers who will be selected in the 2024 NFL draft on the field when Michigan faces Alabama and especially when Washington and Texas face off.
The Huskies have three draftable wide receivers. The headliner is Rome Odunze, a likely first-round pick with his blend of size, strength and downfield ability. Ja’Lynn Polk currently projects in the 75-125 overall range with his sticky hands and ability to win at any range of the field. Jalen McMillan is one of the top slot threats in the draft, if he declares, though he’s also capable of playing outside and is hyper-effective out of bunch sets.
Texas has a duo in Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy that appears capable of each being top-40 overall picks. Worthy’s incredible speed is a great trump card; he had the fastest GPS-timed speed of any player in college football at 22.7 MPH. At just 172 pounds and plagued by drop issues and injuries, Worthy won’t be for everyone, however. Mitchell offers great size and thrived down the field after transferring from Georgia. He’s also a handful as a blocker.
Michigan’s Roman Wilson quietly improved his all-around game, enough that the speedy Wolverine is in the 3rd/4th-round conversation. His ability to work with QB J.J. McCarthy on broken plays will be mighty appealing for NFL teams with improvisational-type quarterbacks. Cornelius Johnson offers good size and the ability to make tacklers miss, and he projects as a Day 3 weapon.
Alabama is young at the wideout spot, but Jermaine Burton has the potential to be a middle-round pick if he declares for the draft.
Could 2024 draft prospect Rome Odunze be the final piece of the WR puzzle for the Packers?
In the 2022 NFL Draft, Brian Gutekunst selected three wide receivers, including Christian Watson with the 34th overall pick. The following year Green Bay’s general manager selected three more wide receivers in the 2023 NFL Draft, including Jayden Reed with the 50th overall pick.
With all that investment into the position, the wide receiver room has turned into a position of strength for Jordan Love and the Packers.
As a rookie, Reed has been arguably Green Bay’s best wide receiver. Watson, when healthy has proven to be a dynamic playmaker. Romeo Doubs leads the team in receptions (56), receiving yards (646) and touchdowns (eight). Dontayvion Wicks has showcased the talent to be a key member of the receiving corps moving forward.
To complete the wide receiver puzzle, Gutekunst could be tempted to draft a wide receiver in the first round to give Love a bonafide No. 1 wide receiver.
By now everybody knows that the Packers haven’t drafted a wide receiver in the first round since they selected Javon Walker with the 20th overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft.
A wide receiver that Gutekunst could target in the first round, depending on where the Packers are slotted to pick, is Washington’s Rome Odunze.
Working my way through the WR's in this draft class and it's LOADED! Personal favorite- Washington's Rome Odunze. Big, physical, easy mover, crisp route runner, big strike zone, tracks naturally, attacks ball, tackle breaker…I could go on. STUD
Odunze enters the college football playoff matchup against Texas with 81 receptions for 1,428 yards and 13 touchdowns. The most impressive thing regarding Odunze’s season is the fact that he played after suffering a broken rib and a punctured lung. A mere two weeks later Odunze 128 yards and two touchdowns on eight receptions against Oregon.
This comes after Odunze enjoyed a breakout campaign the season prior during Kalen DeBoer’s first season as head coach. Odunze finished the season with 75 receptions for 1,145 yards and seven touchdowns.
Rome Odunze, a former track athlete was No. 57 on Bruce Feldman's Freaks List.
The Washington WR is a name for Packers fans to keep tabs on this fall. Check out the other names Packers fans should get to know from the Freaks List. https://t.co/Sm2jjqIFD3pic.twitter.com/yDtm5834FI
A former track standout, it’s not surprising that Odunze was listed on Bruce Feldman’s annual Freaks list. From Feldman:
This offseason, Odunze ran a 4.34 40, a 4.19 pro agility shuttle and also did 37.1 inches on the vertical and 10-1 in the broad jump.
Odunze passes the eye test with his size and athleticism. With his strides and long speed, he’s able to win vertically and tracks the ball well downfield. He’s an explosive playmaker that’s hauled in a 30-plus-yard reception in eight games this season.
The Washington wide receiver has a lot of branches on his route tree and keeps defensive backs off balance by varying his route tempo.
When Odunze gets the ball in his hands his quickness and niftiness make him hard to corral, racking up 431 yards after the catch.
The chances of the Packers selecting a wide receiver in the first round are slim. On the other side of the coin, the Packers have five picks in the Top 100 in the upcoming draft, leaving Gutekunst with plenty of ammo to address other areas of the roster.
Gutekunst may view Odunze as the missing link that could unlock the potential in this young offense. From a skill, size and athletic standpoint, Odunze checks all the boxes that the Packers look for in a wide receiver.
2024 NFL draft: Early top-10 wide receivers for an epic class from Brennen Rupp
Over the past four NFL Drafts, there have been 44 wide receivers selected in the first two rounds. In both the 2020 and 2022 drafts, there were six wide receivers taken in the first round and seven selected in the second round.
The 2024 NFL Draft could exceed those numbers, with potentially 17 wide receivers that could be selected in the first two rounds. Let’s take a look at the top end of what could end up being a historic wide receiver class.
Texas vs. Washington will feature a bevy of talented pass catchers looking to the 2024 NFL draft
The College Football Playoff matchup between Washington and Texas figures to be a track meet with offenses that can score points in bunches. It’s a matchup that will feature six pass catchers that could all end up being selected in the Top 100 when the 2024 NFL Draft rolls around.
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Odunze passes the eye test with his size and athleticism. He’s able to vary his route speed to keep defensive backs off balance and has a lot of branches on his route tree. After enjoying a breakout campaign last season, Odunze heads into the matchup against Texas with 81 receptions for 1,428 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Projected round: 1st
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
The Georgia transfer finished his first season at Texas with 51 receptions for 813 yards and 10 touchdowns. At 6-4, Mitchell is a long wide receiver with smooth body control. Mitchell accelerated quickly off the line of scrimmage and wins vertically with his long strides. Mitchell has strong, accepting hands and according to Pro Football Focus, Mitchell has just one drop on the season.
Projected round: Late 1st/early 2nd
Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
A former track athlete, Worthy is a big-play creator with his instant accelerator. Worthy finished the regular season with 73 receptions for 969 yards and five touchdowns. He also returned a punt for a touchdown. It’s worth noting that Worthy exited the Big 12 Championship Game with an injury and later appeared on crutches, so his status for this matchup will be worth monitoring.
Projected round: 2nd
Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
Polk has made a habit of making highlight reel-worthy catches all season. He has outstanding body control and strong hands to make catches in traffic look like a walk in the park. With Jalen McMIllan sidelined for the majority of the season, Polk has enjoyed a breakout season, with 60 receptions for 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns.
Projected round: 2nd
Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
Sanders finished the regular season with 39 receptions for 607 yards and two touchdowns. At 6-4 with the speed to win vertically, Sanders has the tools to be a mismatch nightmare working the middle of the field. He adjusts well outside his frame and has strong hands (zero drops). Once he reels in it he has some juice after the catch.
Projected round: 2nd
Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington
McMillan missed a good portion of the season due to injury. He still finished with 34 receptions for 468 yards and three touchdowns. He also added a rushing touchdown against Boise State in the season-opener. A former track athlete, McMillan is an explosive playmaker. With another strong outing, McMillan could cement his status as one of the top wide receivers in a loaded class.
Looking at the Top-6 rookies for fantasy drafts next year
The NFL season has turned the corner and is starting the final stretch. Not a lot of transition in-depth charts other than quarterbacks who have seen one of their worst seasons. We haven’t lost many of the elite quarterbacks, but Joe Burrow and Kirk Cousins sent fantasy owners scrambling. Some fantasy teams have fallen from their playoff races due to injuries, unforeseen circumstances, and bad luck. At least, that’s what we tell ourselves. It’s probably right.
So, let’s take a very early look at Top -6 fantasy rookies that you will be overspending on soon enough. The rookies will change positions in the rankings after their bowl season is over and the NFL combine has taken place. And mostly after being over-analyzed and overhyped. But the 2023 season has quietly been a banner year for rookies.
It is a rarity that rookie quarterbacks or tight ends have any fantasy value. This year, both positions contain a Top-5 player that is a rookie. The first two running backs taken are currently Top-15 fantasy backs. Wideouts were supposedly a weaker class, and yet there are currently eight in the Top-50 and four in the Top-20. Youth be served, indeed.
Here’s my current Top-6 rookies-to-be and where you can see them play. Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr. are locks to be the first taken in their position. Running backs are expected to wait until Round 2, so none are obvious first-rounders. The Texas running back was in the lead to be drafted first but tore his ACL on November 11.
1.) WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (6-3, 205 lbs., 4.39/40, Ohio State)
If you’ve played fantasy football for more than 15 years, you’ll grab Harrison from name and genetic advantages alone. He is the consensus best college wideout in the nation and gained over 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns for both of the last two seasons as a Buckeye. He’s tall and yet fast, explosive and strong. His size-speed combination is elite and gives him all the advantages of being fast with a huge catch radius. He’s a first-rounder and hopefully ends up with a team that has a veteran quarterback with the talent to optimize what Harrison can be. Bowl Game: December 29, Cotton Bowl Ohio State vs. Missouri
2.) WR Malik Nabers (6-0, 200 lbs., 4.4/40 LSU)
The junior Tiger followed up his promising sophomore year by catching 86 passes for 1,546 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is a bit shorter than the prototypical wideout but is thick and capable of breaking tackles. He’s been at his best in the slot where he can find the open areas and help out his quarterback as a trusted outlet. But he brings natural skills and big-play ability and comes from that NFL-wideout factory at LSU. His teammate Brian Thomas Jr. will also be a first-round pick. Bowl Game: January 1 ReliaQuest Bowl LSU vs. Wisconsin
3.) RB Trey Benson (6-0, 221 lbs. 4.5/40, Florida State ) The fourth-year junior spent the last two years as a Gator with around 150 carries and 950 yards in both seasons and up to 15 touchdowns just last year. He offers a powerful frame with quick feet and explosive burst that can excel in both inside and outside rushing. He’s fast enough to get through small creases and hard to bring down with a solo tackle. He’s been a capable receiver and caught 20 passes for 227 yards last year. Benson projects as a No. 1 running back in the NFL that can play any needed role. Bowl Game: December 30, Orange Bowl Florida State vs. Georgia
4.) QB Caleb Williams (6-1, 220 lbs., 4.59/40 USC) Rookie quarterbacks rarely have fantasy “start-ability” in their first season but then again – C.J. Stroud. After a year at Oklahoma, he transferred to USC for the last two seasons as one of the top passers in the NCAA. Over his two seasons, he threw for a total of 72 touchdowns and rushed for 21 more. He’s not a running quarterback but very mobile for a pocket passer. He was prolific with up to 500 passes thrown in a season and peaked at 4,537 yards in 14 games as a sophomore. He’s likened to Josh Allen and excels in the RPO game. He’s elusive and most dangerous when a play breaks down. He’s expected to be the 1.01 pick and will enter the NFL with high expectations. Williams will not be playing in the USC bowl game vs. Louisville.
5.) RB Blake Corum (5-7, 210 lbs., 4.38/40 Michigan) The four-year back for the Wolverines has been the centerpiece of their offense and ran for 1,436 yards and scored 19 times but tore his meniscus in December and had surgery. He returned as a senior and ran for 1,028 yards and 24 touchdowns. He totaled 57 scores in his college career. He’s a hard-working compact back with the burst and speed to score on any play and can still play inside with his one-cut ability. Good at finding the lanes and exploiting empty space. He has potential as a receiver and can be a primary back. Playing on the No. 1 ranked team doesn’t hurt his stock. Bowl Game: January 1, Rose Bowl Michigan vs. Alabama
6.) WR Rome Odunze (6-3, 201 lbs., 4.34/40 Washington) The four-year Husky is a fourth-year junior that’s ready for the NFL after posting 81 catches for 1,428 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. It was his second season with high production. He makes great use of his frame to to defeat cornerbacks and makes contested catches. Considered an advanced route runner, he’s accomplished making sideline catches and has the ability to gain separation and then use his wide catch radius. He’s expected to be a first-rounder. He’s the central receiver for No. 2 Washington. Bowl Game: January 1, Washington vs. Texas
About Last Night…
Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
New England 21, Pittsburgh 18
So not a lot of points, but more than we expected.
The Patriots shocked the world, and probably themselves, when they posted 21 points over the first 20 minutes of the game. They never scored again, of course, but after being shut out last week (for the second time), any touchdown was a treat and three of them had to make for a giddy halftime.
Bailey Zappe passed for 240 yards and three touchdowns for a rarity with the Patriots. Hunter Henry (3-40, 2 TD) turned in his best fantasy game of the season, while JuJu Smith-Schuster (4-90) was the last man standing with DeVante Parker out, and he got to help beat his old team. Ezekiel Elliott delivered the fantasy points to owners who had waited all year for what just happened. He rushed for 68 yards on 22 carries, and led the Patriots with seven catches for 72 yards and a touchdown.
The Steelers had to switch to Mitchell Trubisky and the results were not encouraging. He only passed for 190 yards and one score to Diontae Johnson (3-57). George Pickens was limited to just 19 yards on five receptions, and Najee Harris only gained 29 yards on 12 rushes and caught three passes for 19 yards. Jaylen Warren was much better, gaining 11 yards on seven carries and catching four passes for 29 yards.
The game ended the Pats’ five-game losing streak and provided a much-needed reprieve. The Steelers have reason to be considered. The failure to generate any real passing or rushing production will be a bigger problem with three road games on the horizon.
The Bengals replace a fan favorite in a new mock draft.
The Cincinnati Bengals still have an eye on the AFC playoff standings, though some of the focus for fans has understandably shifted to the 2024 NFL draft.
There, the Bengals are again one of the harder teams in the league to project. But one of the more common things that comes up is the Tee Higgins conversation and how the team might look to replace him if he leaves in free agency.
A new mock draft from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler hits this point again by having the team take Washington wideout Rome Odunze at 15th overall:
Bengals fans will be understandably dejected if Tee Higgins departs this offseason, but drafting Odunze as a replacement might be the best-case scenario among the realistic options. At 6-3, 217 with 4.4 speed, the Washington pass catcher can create his own spacing mid-route and is also one of the best contested-catch receivers in college football.
Besides Bengals fans wincing at the idea of another first-round Washington wideout, Odunze is clearly one of the best prospects in the draft and so far has 73 catches for 1,326 yards and 13 scores this year.
But it’s hard to say if the Bengals will actually lose Higgins. In his contract year, he’s only been able to suit up for seven games so far. The team could easily apply a franchise tag in an effort to extend this contention window.
And if they don’t, perhaps they end up seeing something they really like from current rookies Charlie Jones and Andrei Iosivas down the stretch during developmental snaps that steer them in another direction in Round 1 next year.
Jets find running mate for Garrett Wilson in Draft Wire’s latest mock draft
The Jets need to retool the offensive side of the football this upcoming offseason. Wide receiver is certainly near the top of that list as the Jets have struggled to get any production from the position outside of Garrett Wilson and even he’s had his issues at points this season. But after him, it’s been very disappointing. Their big free-agent catch at the position, Allen Lazard, was inactive in Week 12 against the Miami Dolphins while Randall Cobb, their other free-agent signing at wide receiver, hadn’t been active since Week 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles before being active in Week 12 due to Lazard being scratched.
Help is definitely needed and our friends at Draft Wire have come to the rescue, at least hypothetically, with their latest mock draft. A new target for whoever the quarterback in 2024 will be comes into the mix and he’s a darn good one. We’re talking about Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze.
Odunze has been a huge piece of Washington’s 12-0 regular season and being on the verge of a Pac-12 championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff. He has caught 73 passes for 1,326 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. He needs just two catches Friday to reach 75 for the second consecutive season.
Draft Wire’s Curt Popejoy had a very simple reason for the pick.
We are banking on Aaron Rodgers making a healthy return next season and so we get him another big-play threat at receiver.
With the Jets now in a position to get a top-10 pick — they currently sit at No. 8 — they can very well be set up for one of the top wide receiver prospects if they so choose, except for Marvin Harrison Jr., who would likely be gone long before No. 8. Unless the Jets want to trade up.
Odunze would help take a lot of pressure off of Wilson and, hopefully, give the Jets a spark on offense in 2024.
An early look at 10 prospects who figure to appeal to the Detroit Lions with their top pick in the 2024 NFL draft
The college football season is quickly coming to an end, believe it or not. That means the draft prospect evaluation season is really starting to heat up.
Normally, the NFL draft is a bigger priority amongst Lions fans at this time of the year. And while the scouting staff has been operating like always, the success of the 7-2, first-place Lions has put the draft on the back burner for most fans.
In looking ahead at the 2024 NFL draft, which will take place in Detroit next April, the draft range for the Lions top pick figures to be in the 25-32 overall range of the first round. Picking that much later opens up a lot more possibilities for the Lions and what player(s) they might target.
Here are 10 prospects who appear to fit what the Lions want in a prospect and would fill a need on the Detroit roster. It’s just an early look at who the Lions figure to have some interest in drafting with their top pick. They are listed here in alphabetical order.
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr and receiver Rome Odunze have been clicking on all cylinders this 2023 season. That’s a huge part of the season Washington comes into its game against USC with a lofty ranking. The Huskies are ranked as the No. 5 team in the nation, averaging 46 points per game.
Odunze has pulled in 51 catches for 907 yards and 7 touchdowns this season. His receiving totals currently rank fourth nationally in terms of yards per game, at 113.4. Against Alex Grinch’s poor defense, which gave up 49 points to Cal on the road last week, there’s a strong chance Rome could go off this Saturday night against the Trojans.
If Washington junior receiver Jalen McMillan can overcome a knee injury and play again for the Huskies, he would provide Washington’s offense a significant boost and help Odunze get open in the USC secondary.
A look at where Oregon Ducks wide receiver Troy Franklin stands in the mid-season betting odds for the Biletnikoff Award.
It doesn’t feel like wide receivers on the West Coast are getting the recognition that they deserve, nationally at least.
While you can look at the Heisman Trophy betting odds heading into November and see Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. near the top of the list, you rarely hear anyone talk about Oregon’s Troy Franklin, or Washington’s Rome Odunze, despite them having better stats than Harrison at this point in the season.
There may be some East Coast bias built into the conversation, but it’s at least comforting to look at betting odds and see that both Franklin and Odunze are getting some respect when it comes to the sportsbooks.
Heading into the final month of the regular season, FanDuel Sportsbook released odds for the Fred Biletnikoff Award, given to the college football season’s outstanding FBS receiver. Here’s where the Ducks’ leading receiver stacks up against the other top pass-catchers in the nation when it comes to odds to win the award:
