Chicago Bears 2024 Rookie Preview: Rome Odunze

The 2024 draft class for wide receivers was among the most-hyped to enter the NFL in a long time. There was Marvin Harrison Jr., a truly generational talent, followed by two guys who would have arguably been the WR1 of any other draft class: Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze. It was speculated before the draft that all three receivers could be drafted within the first eight picks, which would have been a first in NFL Draft history.

Rome Odunze: Alpha pic.twitter.com/EhJgozYs1S

— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 1, 2024

Fortunately for the Chicago Bears, Rome Odunze slipped to them at 9th overall, and they immediately made the selection. They got their guy, and they didn’t even have to trade up. Many fans and analysts expected the Bears to take a pass rusher or offensive lineman instead, considering Odunze a “luxury pick” that Chicago couldn’t afford (this was after the Bears had already traded for Keenan Allen).

Take a look at his draft profile, however, and you can see why GM Ryan Poles wanted Odunze so badly. He’s a big-bodied receiver who can run every route at a high level. He lacks game-breaking speed but ran the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in 4.45 seconds. His best trait is his dominance at the point of the catch. He can reposition his body in mid-air and use his size to overwhelm smaller corners and safeties.

ROME ODUNZE IS UNGUARDABLE

pic.twitter.com/CiMyDCOIVD

— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 14, 2023

Caleb Williams just has to get the ball anywhere near Odunze, and he’ll come down with the catch. That’s going to be important for a rookie quarterback, having a target that can bail him out with a tough catch when a play breaks down.

Highest Graded Player on Contested Catches last season:

Rome Odunze, Washington: 96.3 pic.twitter.com/XP4EyS3AaZ

— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 29, 2024

Unfortunately for Odunze, the Bears currently have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to offensive playmakers. Not only is the depth chart led by a six-time Pro Bowl receiver and a guy who just signed a four-year, $110 million deal, but there’s also Cole Kmet to share targets with. Kmet has averaged 84 targets per year since 2021, and he’s been a monster in the red zone.

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Then there’s running back D’Andre Swift, who many expect to return to the same role he played in Detroit, where he received over 70 targets in two of his three seasons.

Simply put, there are a lot of mouths to feed in Chicago and only so many targets to go around. For Odunze, that means he will probably not make as big of a splash in 2024 as Harrison or Nabers will. However, I believe Odunze will evolve into Williams’ favorite target throughout the season. They started working out together even before the draft and seem to be developing some real chemistry. DJ Moore is firmly fixed as the WR1 for the foreseeable future, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Odunze eventually stealing targets from Keenan Allen and Cole Kmet.

And if Allen departs in free agency next year? That will open up a whole new world for Odunze to take advantage of. So stay tuned, Bears fans, because Ryan Poles may have drafted the guy who will end his career as the greatest receiver in franchise history.

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