5 first-round prospects for Giants fans to watch at the NFL Combine
By George Baker
With the NFL Combine officially kicking off, this is when the fun truly starts for New York Giants fans. With many options with the No. 6 overall pick and rumors swirling of potential targets, the Giants' evaluation of prospects in Indy will play a huge role in their eventual selection.
A handful of players perform exceptionally well at the Combine every year and boost their draft stock significantly. While not a direct predictor for success in the NFL, let's hope the Giants do all their due diligence as they begin laying the groundwork for a successful 2024 NFL Draft. While Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye won't throw, here are five players looking to impress at the Combine that the Giants should undoubtedly keep their eye on:
5. Rome Odunze
After a 2023 season that saw the Washington Huskies making a national title run, Rome Odunze is no longer the "sleeper" he once was. The 6-3, 215-pound specimen had a record-setting season, where he perfectly meshed dominance and consistency.
In 2023, Odunze led all college football in receiving yards with 1,640 while adding 92 catches and 15 total touchdowns. Odunze earned a First-Team All-American selection in 2023, along with his second consecutive First-Team All-Pac-12 honor. Simply put, Odunze has optimized dominance during his last two seasons as a Husky and will look to continue his performance at the next level.
When breaking down Odunze as a prospect, his measurables jump off the table. Odunze utilized his unique combination of speed and route-running all season long to embarrass opposing defensive backs. Odunze's versatility made him so effective in 2023 - and the ability to be a deep-ball threat and an elusive route-runner is a lethal combination, even at the NFL level.
Here's what Mel Kiper Jr. had to say when speaking of Odunze and how he is uniquely fit to impress at the upcoming Combine:
""Rome Odunze everybody knew he was the number one guy, he was the guy we had to figure out a way to contain and they could not do it. He is gonna be a freakish talent when he starts testing whenever he does it, Combine (or) Pro Day. He can jump out of the building and he has that size, he's what 215-218 (pounds) in that area… I'm a huge Rome Odunze fan, I gave him the slight edge over Malik Nabers.""
- Mel Kiper Jr.