Can I delete pins 17-22 from the wroom-32d footprint?

[locustcox]

Is there any issue with deleting pins 17-22 from the footprint and routing traces under them (protected by soldermaks, of course)? See attached screenshot.

[mikemoy]

You can, but why not just use traces to the bottom side.

[ESP_Sprite]

Also, do note that those pins are connected to the flash and as such have signals with fairly low slew rates on them: you may get some capacitive coupling if all that separates them from your traces is a solder mask. If any, you can 'thicken' the layer by also putting a square of silkscreen between the pads and traces; that should also lower the risk of a solder mask failure causing a short.

[mikemoy]

@ ESP_Sprite, Excellent idea!

[locustcox]

@mikemoy, mainly to reduce vias for some high-frequency rmii signals.

@ESP_Sprite, thanks for the tip, that is an excellent idea.