Skip to main content
Join Now

Ian Rapoport explains how much Rome Odunze, Xavier Worthy helped draft stock at 2024 NFL Combine

20200517_134556by:Justin Rudolph•03/02/24
on3.com/ian-rapoport-explains-how-much-rome-odunze-xavier-worthy-helped-draft-stock-at-2024-nfl-combine/
© Kirby Lee

The NFL Combine is where college players headed to the next level can help boost their draft stock. And that is exactly what a handful of wide receivers did on Saturday when it was their turn to take the field.

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, two wideouts that definitely saw a rise in their stock were the former Washington Huskies star receiver Rome Odunze and former Texas Longhorns star receiver Xavier Worthy.

When it comes to Odunze, his overall performance on Saturday sent a buzz throughout NFL front offices. Not only that but given the list of teams that he has talked with, there might be some serious interest for someone to trade up from outside the top 10 to acquire his services.

“A really nice job with the drills today,” said Rapoport. “And someone who is certainly firmly in the mix to be a top three receiver, maybe even challenge to be the top receiver… Let’s take a look at some of the teams that he met with… The Colts, the Jaguars, the Rams, and the Steelers. The reason why those are interesting is those would be potential trade-up teams. Rarely do you see a huge trade-up for a receiver.”

Worthy did himself a huge favor with his performance, showing off his athleticism at the combine. But what really wowed scouts and NFL personnel was his record-breaking 4.21 40-yard dash time. And that time alone, according to Rappaport, has created some serious buzz for the former Longhorn star.

“I was curious on where he was going to go before he running. He seemed to me to be a first-rounder, probably. Maybe somebody like the back end of the first round. I just got a text from a high-ranking personnel executive who thinks now, based on the time he ran, he could be the fourth receiver off the board.

Heading into the 2024 NFL draft, Odunze has been consistently regarded as one of the top three receivers in this year’s draft, along with Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. and LSU’s Malik Nabers. But with Worthy’s impressive 40-yard dash time, the big three at the top of the board for wideout might have just turned into a big four with Odunze possibly at the top of the board for some NFL franchises.