Jaguars find a replacement for Calvin Ridley in this 3-round 2024 NFL Mock Draft

Round 1, pick 17: Rome Odunze, wide receiver - Washington

The one thing that could prevent the Jaguars from giving Calvin Ridley an extension is that they would need to give Atlanta a second-round selection if they part ways with him. The pick will be in the third round if they let him walk. For the sake of argument, let's say they let him hit the open market. Finding him a potential replacement should then be one of their top priorities.

Luckily for the Jags, this draft will be stacked with receiving talent in the first and second rounds. Even though Marvin Harrison Jr. will be long gone by the time they're on the clock at No. 17, they'll still have plenty of enticing options, including Rome Odunze, one of three Huskies that should go in the first round. The other two are quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and offensive lineman Troy Fautanu.

At 6'3", Odunze doesn't have burner speed, and his route-running could use some work. However, he's got a massive catch radius, and his ability to get yards after the catch is second to none. A four-star recruit out of high school, he's got the size to reel in contested catches and win jump balls, something that the Jaguars' offense desperately needs. The 2022 first-team All-Pac 12 nod needs to work on his route running but receivers coach Chad Hall could help him work on that.

As noted before, Odunze lacks top speed and explosiveness, which will force him to put an emphasis on honing his skills in the NFL. Having said that, his strengths outweigh his potential flaws. Derrick Klassen of the Bleacher Report scouting department calls Odunze "a quarterback's best friend," due to his catch radius and reliable route-running.