Rome Odunze will not work out at Washington's Pro Day, per report

The trend of top NFL draft prospects opting to sit out or not participate in drills leading up to the draft has bled into some programs’ Pro Day. One of the most notable opt-outs will be for the Washington Huskies where wide receiver Rome Odunze is expected not to partake in their upcoming event.

Initially, it started with some of the best players in college football opting not to play for their programs during bowl season if not competing for a national championship. Then, this year, there were a handful of individuals who opted out of the field and skill events of the NFL Combine, most notably Ohio State star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. And now, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Odunze, will sit out the Huskies Pro Day on Thursday.

“Sources: Former Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze will not work out at the school’s Pro Day on Thursday. Odunze plans to stand on his performance at the NFL Combine in February, where he performed all of the wide receiver drills and ran a 4.45 40-yard dash,” said Thamel.

As mentioned above by Thamel, Odunze did participate in the NFL Combine events. And much of what will be going on at Washington’s Pro Day will mirror what the players did in Indianapolis back in early March. So, to some, it does make practical sense that Odunze does not want to risk potentially injuring himself, like Michigan Wolverines defensive end David Ojobo did leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft. Ojobo suffered a torn Achilles preparing for the draft and fell from the first round, where many experts had him going, to the second round.

Odunze might be looking to avoid a similar fate since there is very little he can do at this point that would increase his stock heading into the 2024 NFL Draft.

Mel Kiper defends Rome Odunze to New York Giants over Malik Nabers

Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN defended one of his more surprising predictions for the 2024 NFL Draft when he predicted the New York Giants would select Odunze over Malik Nabers at No. 6.

Many believe Nabers is the WR2 in the 2024 NFL Draft, following Harrison Jr. However, Kiper isn’t aboard that train of thought, as he explained why Odunze would be his pick if the Giants have to choose between the two come April.

“The Giants, think about that, I think wide receiver has to be that pick. We’ll get to the team that kind of Cincinnati Bengals debate. The Giants have to take either Nabers or Odunze. I could have given either one to the Giants. I gave Odunze to the Giants because like him a little better,” Kiper said, via his mock draft special. “I know you like Nabers a little bit better.