Everybody knows the Chicago Bears are taking Caleb Williams with the #1 pick next Thursday. He is the only quarterback they had a private visit with. They are the only team he’s met with. The decision is clearly made. The only thing left to do is turn in the card. Any real intrigue has shifted to the #9 pick, where GM Ryan Poles has a myriad of different possibilities in front of him. He could stay put and take the best player on his board. He could trade up for somebody he feels has superstar potential. Marvin Harrison Jr. is the popular name on that front. Or he could trade back from #9, secure more draft capital, and grab a lineman later on.
Plenty of people find it hard to believe Poles would willingly go through this draft with only four picks. That is why a trade feels the most likely. On the other hand, all signs point to some excellent football players still being available at #9. Would the Bears really be willing to pass one of them up for a few extra picks? Most draft experts don’t think so. In fact, if you listen to the vast majority of experts, there is an overwhelming favorite to hear his name called by Chicago once they go on the clock.
Just look at all the mock draft predictions.
Max Chadwick, Pro Football Focus
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome OdunzeJosh Edwards, CBS Sports
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome OdunzeEric Galko, CBS Sports
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome OdunzeMel Kiper, ESPN
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome OdunzeRhett Lewis, NFL.com
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome OdunzeSteve Palazzolo, Pro Football Focus
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome OdunzePete Prisco, CBS Sports
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome OdunzeChris Trapasso, CBS Sports
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome OdunzeField Yates, ESPN
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome OdunzeLance Zierlein, NFL.com
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze
Odunze feels like such a natural fit for the Chicago Bears.
He’s a bigger body player who understands how to use his size to his advantage, boxing out defenders in 50/50 situations. Don’t let that fool you. He’s faster than he looks and is a competent route runner, able to create separation in various ways. Yet somehow, it’s his mental makeup that is even better. Odunze is a notoriously hard worker and is said to be an outstanding teammate. Combine this with Devin Hester being his favorite player growing up, and it’s easy to see why coming to Chicago feels like fate for him.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
There is even a logical side to it. Keenan Allen turns 32 years old this season. He’s also a free agent in 2025. If the Chicago Bears aren’t certain what the future holds with him, drafting some insurance like Odunze makes perfect sense. If Allen leaves, they’d have him and D.J. Moore to move forward with. The lingering question for many is whether Odunze gets to #9. Harrison and Malik Nabers are expected to be gone within the first six picks. That means it comes down to whether Tennessee at #7 or Atlanta at #8 decide to take him. Maybe another team could trade up in front of the Bears as well.
If this scenario plays out as many expect, it’s hard to be mad about it.
Why when I watch highlights mostly what I see is Odunze running wide open? They say he’s great at contested catches. Not that much running wide open in the NFL..Liking the Bowers match up issues just a little better. He’s one bad dude. I know they signed a guy at TE already but I don’t know squat about him. Bowers and Kmet with Williams and Moore on the outside. Seams like a good lineup of pass catchers to me.
Sam, I’ve been following Odunze since last year and I do like him. I mentioned this before, I don’t consider Bowers a TE. He is a threat at the top of the triangle in the West Coast Offense. He is too much for a LB or S to cover on their own. He will draw more coverage than Odunze, and it will open up the offense.
My bet is poles takes none of the big names we have been talking about. Half of us will be on here absolutely pissed and complaining. The others will be I trust poles. In the end we will all be saying “Didn’t see that coming”!
Scooby.. Bowers walks onto this team as TE3. Especially at his size and lack of blocking skills. And I think Rome could move all over the field in different formations just like Bowers could. Again, I’m a big fan of Bowers. But I don’t even slightly agree that Bowers is more “value” at 9.
TGena
tldr ; )