How many yards will Rome Odunze finish the 2024 season with?

Rome Odunze has had an odd rookie season. He hasn’t been nearly as productive as the Chicago Bears might have expected after making him the ninth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, but his lack of Rookie of the Year production has been more because of the offense than anything he’s doing wrong.

Still, Odunze hasn’t had many wow moments in 2024, and even when he did have somewhat of a breakout game against the 49ers in the Bears’ 38-13 blowout loss, his antics after scoring a meaningless second touchdown left fans and analysts a bit turned off.

.@LanceBriggs wasn’t a fan of Bears rookie Rome Odunze’s touchdown dance in the team’s blowout loss to the 49ers.

“I don’t know understand how you guys are more detailed in your dance than you are in your play on the football field,” Briggs says.

Listen: https://t.co/xRD4rupKQL pic.twitter.com/rGjbkFGv7c

— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) December 11, 2024

Still, there’s no denying that Odunze flashed the traits that made him a top-10 pick last April. Notably, this contested catch in the back corner of the end zone for his first touchdown of the game was “see it to believe it” stuff:

The toe tap from @RomeOdunze pic.twitter.com/fugR0o0rKF

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 8, 2024

Through 13 games of his rookie year, Rome Odunze is third on the Bears with 45 receptions, second in yards with 581, and tied for second in touchdown receptions with three.

Decent numbers, sure. But let’s compare him to some of the other highly drafted receivers in the 2024 class:

Malik Nabers: 80 catches, 819 yards, 3 TDs

Marvin Harrison Jr.: 45 catches, 655 yards, 7 TDs

Brian Thomas Jr.: 54 catches, 851 yards, 6 TDs

Ladd McConkey: 58 catches, 815 yards, 4 TDs

See a trend? Odunze has the fewest yards (by a wide margin except for Harrison, who has twice as many touchdowns) and the fewest catches. The film suggests Odunze is open, his routes are crisp, and his play speed is fine. However, there are some awkward drops and strength concerns at times.

So, what does Odunze’s end-of-year projection look like? He should finish the 2024 season with 59 catches, 760 yards, and 4 TDs at his current pace.

Eh, not the incredible impact many hoped for from Rome Odunze. But the same can be said about the entire Chicago Bears team this year.