There is a mock draft up today by Bruce Feldman of The Athletic. He received input from college coaches and NFL execs.
Here’s the write up on Odunze.
“The 6-foot-3, 212-pound Odunze isn’t quite as fast as Nabers, but he is really explosive. The former track standout from Las Vegas clocked a 4.45 40 at the combine with a 1.52 10-yard split, a 39-inch vertical and a 4.03 shuttle time. His film is even more impressive than his workout numbers. Last season, he had 92 catches for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns. Everyone who has been around him comes away impressed. His ball skills are truly elite.
“His focus is awesome,” a former Washington assistant told
The Athletic, adding that Odunze would come back to the sideline and could tell coaches exactly how many times the ball rotated before it got to him.
From the feedback I got from NFL folks and others who had been around him during the combine run-up, I came away thinking that Odunze is the other receiver alongside Harrison closest to being a can’t-miss prospect.
The Coaching Intel
“(He is) as good as we’ve faced (in two decades as a college coach). Unbelievable with the ball in the air. Fantastic hands. Very good route runner. Good size. Good competitor. He is as good at tracking the ball as I’ve ever seen. That 50-50 ball, he had to have been 85 percent or better at those.”
“He can play inside or outside and eat you up. He’s very polished and has a lot in his bag. He makes great adjustments and is very, very strong. He’s the alpha receiver who bullies guys whenever there’s a contested catch. I know people talked a lot about Marvin Harrison and we never played him, but if he’s better than this guy, man, that’s really saying something.”
Feldman has Odunze going to the NYG.
Here is the ninth pick.
“9. Chicago Bears: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Chicago could upgrade at edge rusher with either
UCLA’s
Laiatu Latu or
Florida State’s
Jared Verse, but instead the Bears provide even more firepower for their top pick Williams.
Nabers is coming off of a fantastic showing at his pro day, in which he roared to a 4.35 40 and posted a 42-inch vertical and 10-9 broad jump. Nabers dominated last season, catching 89 passes for 1,569 yards and 14 TDs. Against Alabama, which had the best secondary in the nation, Nabers had 10 catches for 171 yards.
The Coaching Intel
“He can separate like nobody else. He has super speed and explosiveness. He’s got this big lower half and is so scary in the open field. He is elite with the ball in his hands.”
“He’s a f—— dawg, man.”
“Explosive, but a really good route runner. His ability to sink his hips and separate at the top of routes is elite.”
The top ten in the article are:
1. Williams
2. Daniels
3. Maye
4. Vikings trade up for JJ
5. MHJ
6. Odunze
7. Alt
8. Turner
9. Nabers
10. Bowers
Bruce Feldman's 2024 NFL mock draft: Sources dish on Penix, Maye, Alt and more
