With the 19th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints select…
At A to Z Sports, we held a way too early 2024 NFL mock draft this week around the midseason point of the 2023 season. With the 19th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints select… Rome Odunze, Wide Receiver, Washington Huskies "The Saints get a bit unlucky in this scenario after an EDGE […]
At A to Z Sports, we held a way too early 2024 NFL mock draft this week around the midseason point of the 2023 season.
With the 19th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints select…
Rome Odunze, Wide Receiver, Washington Huskies
"The Saints get a bit unlucky in this scenario after an EDGE & OT run happening right before their selection. Alas, they settled for a consensus top 4 WR in the class. Odunze has the size (6-foot-3) and route running ability to become a key to the Saints offense, alongside Chris Olave & Alvin Kamara. He provides a unique skill set to Olave & the emerging Rashid Shaheed, too."
Wide receiver shouldn't be at the top of the 'needs' list for New Orleans on draft day, and it probably won't be. That being said, you draft for talent – not need – in the middle/late part of the first round, especially.
Odunze was arguably the most talented player remaining on the board, and there's a possibility that Michael Thomas is not back with the Saints after this season. At his stature, the Huskies WR would slot right in to Thomas' role, and his athleticism cannot be overstated.
He's, simply put, an athletic 'freak' that would give the Saints another dynamic threat on offense.
The Washington wideout grabbed the 57th spot on Bruce Feldman's 'freak list' for this season of college football.
The Pac-12 leader in receiving yards with 1,145 last year to go with 75 catches, Odunze, 6-2, 216 pounds, was a terrific high school sprinter at Vegas powerhouse Bishop Gorman who won the 4A state title in the 200 meters (21.25) and the 4×100 relay (41.36). 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. — Feldman
At the time of the mock draft, Odunze has totaled 18 receptions of 20+ yards this season. That's the second-most in the FBS. He's a downfield target with a knack for getting open in the intermediate part of the field, too.
Odunze's hands are NFL-ready as well. Some prospects struggle with drops entering the league, but that isn't the case with him. Along the sideline, he's not afraid to fight through contact and make contested catches.
Offensive line and edge rusher are bigger needs in New Orleans right now, but the board was not kind to them at those spots.
In this scenario, they didn't force a pick for lesser value and upgraded their offensive prowess.
