Matt Miller lists Rome Odunze, Quinyon Mitchell as players he is standing up for in NFL Draft
Each year when the NFL Draft rolls around everyone has their handful of players that they would stand on the table for. The players that you’re fully convinced will translate their game to the next level and make for excellent pros.
This year’s draft pool is loaded with talented players, many worthy of standing on the table for. But ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller recently shared the two prospects he believes in most with Rece Davis and Pete Thamel.
“I would jump on the table for Quinyon Mitchell, the corner from Toledo, every day. Rome Odunze, I just love Rome Odunze as a human being and how driven he is to be great,” Miller said.
“I’ve seen their work ethic, I’ve seen their drive and their want to be great and those are paired with really fantastic physical attributes and really fantastic production. So you feel a little bit better about it.”
Mitchell’s draft stock skyrocketed during the NFL Draft evaluation process. Dominating in the MAC the past two seasons before really showing that he was worthy of a first-round selection during all the biggest events of the offseason.
“Quinyon Mitchell had four interceptions in a game against Northern Illinois, he ran two back for touchdowns and you’re watching this on tape and you’re like can he do this against Power Five guys?” Miller asked. “Fast forward a year later, he goes to the Senior Bowl and races everyone at the line of scrimmage.”
“Then he goes to the combine and runs a 4.33 (second 40-yard dash), hangs out and does 20 reps of 225 (pounds) on the bench, and you fall in love with that. Of a guy who’s just willing to check every box and doesn’t shy away from competition.”
Odunze was more of a known quantity after putting together a pair of standout years at Washington, highlighted by leading the nation with 1,640 receiving yards on 92 catches with 15 total touchdowns on the season. But has also shown off his intangibles leading up to the draft, making Miller and many others strong believers of Odunze.
“And then the great Rome Odunze story of he’s hanging out after workouts trying to run a better three-cone drill and it just shows you how much these guys want to be great,” Miller said.
There’s no question that both Odunze and Mitchell will be first-round selections on Thursday, and rightfully so. But it will be particularly fascinating to see how their professional careers unfold after checking all the boxes ahead of the NFL Draft.