General manager Joe Douglas and the New York Jets have spent much of the offseason surrounding quarterback Aaron Rodgers with game-altering weapons, including trading for All-Pro wide receiver Mike Williams, and might not be done bolstering the offense yet.
The Jets’ task, as Rodgers is set to return from a ruptured Achilles tendon in 2024, is to close the gap on the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills in the loaded AFC East.
While running back Breese Hall, Williams, and Garrett Wilson form a formidable trio of weapons, doublding down on investing at the skill positions during the draft could be the quickest path towards legitimately competing for a postseason berth in 2024, especially given how dominant New York’s defense is at all three levels.
‘Perfect’ NFL Draft Fit for New York Jets
In NFL Media analyst Eric Edholm’s latest mock draft projection, the Jets land one of the most explosive receivers in this year’s NFL Draft class.
Edholm projects the Jets select Washington’s Rome Odunze with the No. 10 overall pick.
“It might be too tough for general manager Joe Douglas to pass on Odunze,” Edholm writes for NFL.com. “Even with Mike Williams on board and O-line worries still not completely addressed, in my opinion. The Jets likely can’t count on Williams to stay healthy for a full season, and Odunze might be the perfect bookend to Garrett Wilson in time.”
Last season, Odunze was a focal point of the Washington Huskies’ offense, and a pivotal piece to a run to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, catching 92 passes for 1,640 yards with 13 touchdowns, while averaging an explosive 17.8 yards per reception.
Rome Odunze NFL Draft Scouting Report
The Jets could easily be tempted by the idea of pairing Odunze with Wilson, forming a dynamic duo of former first-round draft picks, who would likely be the focal points of New York’s vertical passing game even long after Rodgers is no longer behind center.
“There’s nothing not to like,” an NFC Scouting Director told me recently. “Rome’s very competitive, has great hands with a very large catch radius. He consistently competes and wins in traffic. Gets separation on a consistent basis, is a very good route runner and is excellent after the catch.”
At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Odunze is a legitimate deep-threat, with the frame to be a legitimate weapon in the red zone.
“Odunze is a big, athletic wideout with exceptional hands,” NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah writes of Odunze. “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.
“He uses his strength to lean into defenders before separating out of the break point. He thrives in traffic, possessing the ability to pluck the football and absorb big shots over the middle of the field.”
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