The 2024 NFL Draft is upon us, and the Indianapolis Colts enter with the no. 15 overall selection in the first round.
This offseason has been marked by the Colts retaining their own talented players, rewarding those they've already invested in and establishing a culture of continuity. Now, it's time to continue building on that.
There are many routes the Colts could choose to go in the first round with their current pick, but what if Indianapolis decided to make a big, bold move upward? Think about it. They've done everything to show faith in Anthony Richardson. Why not make one splash move to put a stamp on that notion of faith?
The Colts have their eyes on Rome Odunze in this final 2024 mock draft
Indy wants to move up eight spots in the first round, and they do so with a division rival, sending a 2025 second rounder and a fourth-round pick this year over to Tennessee.
With that seventh overall selection, the Colts opt to go with one of the best offensive weapons in the draft, selecting Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze. In many other draft classes, Odunze might be the best available wide receiver. It just so happens that he's in a class featuring Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers.
Odunze, though, is going to be a Pro Bowl type talent in this league. He's often compared to a guy like Keenan Allen, possessing excellent hands and body control. He's the complete package, doing a lot of things at a high level. At 6-foot-3, Odunze lives to fight for the football. He takes 50/50 balls as serious as anyone, and he doesn't lose very many of them.
The Colts already love Michael Pittman Jr., but Odunze is good enough that he might even surpass Pittman as the team's top wide receiver within the first couple of seasons. And, that would be a good "problem" for the Colts to have.