For whatever reason, people were quick to dismiss Rome Odunze as a lost cause when he didn’t explode out of the gate last season with over 1,000 yards like other rookies did. Notching 700 yards in a tumultuous season where the coaching staff constantly changed deserved more consideration. Alas, fans don’t often think that way. Still, going into 2025, there were concerns about whether Odunze could realize the vast potential he showed at Washington. Three weeks into the season, he already eclipsed the number of touchdowns he had as a rookie (4) and is on track for well over 1200 yards. One person not surprised by it is Antwaan Randle El.
People will roll their eyes at this. Randle El is the wide receivers coach. He’s naturally inclined to believe Odunze would figure it out. However, the story goes much deeper than that. This is something the coach has seen coming for well over a year. He revealed to CHGO that he did a deep study of the 2024 receiver class leading up to the draft for the Detroit Lions. While he knew they would never get the chance to draft any of those guys, he still submitted his rankings of who he thought was the best of the group.
When Bears receivers coach/assistant head coach Antwaan Randle El was done evaluating a loaded receivers draft class last year as a member of the Detroit Lions’ staff, his final opinion differed from the outside consensus and later the eventual selections.
In order, his top three receivers were:
1. Rome Odunze
2. Malik Nabers
3. Marvin Harrison Jr.
“I thought from a route running standpoint, like he was the better route runner of the three,” Randle El said. “That’s what I kind of look at. You know, speed (and) agility. Is the speed real speed or is it just they give him the ball right away and that kind of deal? But he was running and he was coming out of his breaks much better than the other two guys. That’s what I saw. That was one of the biggest things. He was definitely a route runner and knew how to run routes.”
Antwaan Randle El proved again to know what he’s talking about.
He was with the Lions when they drafted both Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. GM Brad Holmes gets credit for those picks, but Antwaan Randle El obviously had input. He knows what to look for. Size, speed, and strength are all important factors in scouting the position. However, the coach understands that those who excel have a certain knack for route running. Odunze showed that ability lots of times at Washington. Throw in that he’s 6’3 with 4.4 speed, and you can understand the appeal. Now you’re starting to see everything come together. His connection with Caleb Williams is growing. So is his confidence.
The scary part is that defenses can’t concentrate on stopping him. Doing so would present one-on-one matchups for guys like D.J. Moore, Cole Kmet, Luther Burden, and Colston Loveland. It’s a pick-your-poison situation, and the Bears are taking advantage.
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