The Chicago Bears drafted Rome Odunze 9th overall in the 2024 draft last month. That spot has been kind to this organization in years past. Leonard Floyd was a good player when he arrived in 2016. Brian Urlacher is in the Hall of Fame. Al Harris was a productive defensive lineman in the 1980s. All three times the Bears took somebody at that spot, he ended up becoming a solid player. Lots of people expect that and more from Odunze, widely considered one of the cleanest receiver prospects in recent memory.
He has 6’3 size, great hands, 4.45 speed, and runs sharp routes. He’s also the best 50/50 ball catcher in this class. On almost any other team, he would be at least the #2 guy and probably the #1. However, the presence of D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen makes it difficult to determine what his impact will be as a rookie. One person who has zero doubts he’ll be a stud right out of the gate is Jordan Schultz. The well-connected insider went so far as to predict Odunze would do something few receivers ever have in NFL history.
Rome Odunze would join rare company if that happens.
Only 28 wide receivers in NFL history have successfully finished a season with over 1,000 yards as a rookie. Considering how many receivers there have been throughout league history, that is a small number. Puka Nacua was the latest to accomplish it last season for the Rams. He had the help of a future Hall of Fame quarterback throwing him the ball. If Odunze were to accomplish this feat, he’d have added the bonus accomplishment of doing so while catching the passes from a fellow rookie at quarterback.
Chicago has seen this happen before. Harlon Hill cracked 1,000 yards way back in 1954 as a 15th round pick. Several 1st rounders haven’t come close to that mark since then. Rome Odunze hopes to change that. He is certainly capable enough. It depends on how many opportunities he gets. Moore and Allen figure to get lots of action. The same goes for Cole Kmet. Odunze would really have to perform well from the start of the season to reach that milestone. If it happens, the Bears will know their future is secure.
It would really be interesting if Odunze, rather than Moore or Allen, is double-teamed more often. If not, he should have a great year.