Chicago Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower shared that Rome Odunze is in contention to be their primary punt returner in 2024.
Let the overreactions begin. It wasn’t all that long ago people were ready to give up on Justin Jefferson before his rookie year began because he was reported to be the wide receiver 3 for the Vikings behind Bisi Johnson. While Odunze has a much tougher depth chart to climb with D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen in the same Receiving room, Hightower’s comments about Odunze potentially contributing on special teams shouldn’t be seen as any sort of indictment to what he can do on offense.
Odunze brings tremendous collegiate production and prototype size and athleticism to the NFL. Fantasy Managers in Dynasty formats should try and target Odunze as a trade target from any owners who have reservations about Odunze’s role for the Bears in 2024. Odunze still warrants a selection in all fantasy formats and if anything, this news should only make his stock rise in leagues that award scoring for return yards (SFB14.)
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze (knee) was ...
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (knee) will play ...
The initial belief is that Chicago Bears rookie first-round ...
University of Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze was taken by the Chicago Bears with the 9th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Ryan Poles is buildin sumpin. The Chicago Bears GM may have just yanked the franchise out of the NFL’s cellar with some savvy team management. Staring down the barrel at an overhyped and outclassed QB in Justin Fields, Poles traded the Georgia product to Pittsburgh and, through pick trading with Carolina and some unfortunate play on the field, went into the 2024 Draft with the 1st and 9th picks. Poles then walked out of the first round with Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze.
Adding Odunze, aka “Romo Doomsday”, to the receiving corps that includes DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett, D’Andre Swift, and Roschon Johnson, Poles seems to have built an offensive juggernaut. Odunze may be the jewel in the crown, though.
Odunze is what’s known in the biz as a “stud.” The problematic allusion to equine husbandry aside, Odunze is the Alpha WR1 one would create in Madden. At 6’3″ and 212lbs, Odunze has the length and physicality to compete against smaller DBs and speed to burn. He’s an excellent ball-tracker and is hard to handle at the catch point, making him a downfield threat. Odunze is very savvy in every aspect of the wide receiver game showing elite skills as a route-runner, knows how to use his body for positioning and leverage, and baits DBs with smooth changes of pace. Working in the Huskies prolific offense, Odunze finished 2023 with 1640 receiving yards.
Odunze has generally been considered to be the WR3 of the 2024 rookie class. It may be more accurate to group the top 3 of Odunze, Malik Nabers, and Marvin Harrison Jr. as 1a, 1b, and 1c. Odunze, like his classmates, will demand immediate production. He enters the Bears WR room as the most talented of them all, if the least experienced. In 1QB dynasty leagues, there’s no reason for him to last beyond the 1.05 of rookie drafts. If any owner prefers him to MHJ or Nabers, I wouldn’t argue with them. In superflex, he’s still a top 10 pick. He will be a great value in redraft and best ball leagues, as well, even if he’s targeted in the WR10-20 range.
Rome Odunze had a phenomenal Senior season, and demonstrated his physical prowess during NFL combine athletic testing.
Rome Odunze was measured just under 6’3″ and weighed in at 212 lbs. He demonstrated fantastic speed for his size, running a 4.45 40-yard dash.
Based on his measurements and testing, he’s earned a 9.69 RAS score, highlighted by a 39″ vertical that is in the 92nd percentile for the position. He also looked noticeably comfortable and maintained a high mph during the gauntlet drill.
Fantasy Managers can officially get excited about Odunze being an early first round pick in NFL and Fantasy drafts.
Standout WR Rome Odunze is leaving the Washington Huskies and has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Standout WR Rome Odunze is leaving the Washington Huskies and has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. Odunze had a great 2023 season for the Huskies catching 93 passes for 13 touchdowns, but more impressive, Odunze had 1,640 receiving yards which led the nation.
Odunze is a lock to be a first round pick, and some analysts have Odunze as a top 10 draft pick in this already stacked draft class. Odunze is a great prospect who will garner a lot of attention from NFL teams because of his great mix of size, speed, hands, and the ability to make contested catches downfield. Odunze should be the 3rd wide receiver drafted off the board this year, only behind Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers.
