Raiders NFL Draft Prospect: WR Rome Odunze, Washington

The Las Vegas Raiders need to start thinking long term with their receiving room, and drafting Las Vegas native Rome Odunze would be a great first step in that process.

The Las Vegas Raiders have a very talented group of wide receivers.

With All-Pro Davante Adams, a consistent receiving option who could be just a season or two away from a trip to the Pro Bowl in Jakobi Meyers, former Pro Bowler Hunter Renfrow, and promising young receiver Tre Tucker, on paper, it's one of the best receiving rooms in the NFL.

But it might not be stable for long. Renfrow could very well be on his way out the door, as the Raiders have waited two seasons for the veteran to get back to the high level of play they got from him in 2021-22. 

Meanwhile, as the years pass, an aging Adams, the three-time first-team All-Pro, is in a "win-now" mindset. While Adams loved the Raiders long before he donned the Silver and Black, his level of content with the team going forward will have much to do with the moves Las Vegas makes this offseason.

With all that said, the Raiders should start thinking about the long haul. What better way to establish a foundation than bringing in one of the top receiving prospects in this year's NFL Draft? Especially a hometown kid?

The Las Vegas Raiders need to start thinking long-term with their receiving room and drafting Las Vegas native Rome Odunze would be a great first step in that process / © Kirby Lee | 2024 Jan 8

Washington's 2023 All-American wide receiver, Rome Odunze, is fresh off the most significant game of his career, the College Football National Championship game. 

Odunze recorded 87 yards on only five receptions in the Huskies' 34-13 loss to the University of Michigan.

The Biletnikoff Award finalist led the nation with 1,640 receiving yards this season. His chemistry with Heisman Trophy runner-up Michael Penix Jr. helped Washington to the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff, as well as a program-best 13-win season with their win over Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship Game.

Odunze would be named first team All-American by the Associated Press, the Football Writers of America Association, Pro Football Focus, CBS Sports and The Athletic in 2023.

The prospect could still be on the board when the Raiders are up to select the 13th overall pick in this year's draft. 

While it is unlikely they choose to go with a receiver for their first pick, seeing as other areas of their roster demand higher priority, selecting arguably the best receiver in this year's draft, who also happens to be a Las Vegas native, would be quite a story. 

From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.

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