NEWSLETTER
I’m going to start this post with the obligatory caveat that most players meet with most teams at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
With that being said, Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze isn’t just another run-of-the-mill player. The Chicago Bears aren’t just another franchise. And the two could be on a collision course set to take place at the NFL Draft on April 25.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport name-checks the Bears as one of the teams that met with Odunze at the Combine. Here’s the scoop from Rap Sheet:
“Let’s take a look at some of the teams he met with: The Patriots, the Cardinals, the Giants, the Titans, and the Bears are among the intriguing ones for me, guys, because those are all the top 10 teams. Also spent some time with the Colts, Jaguars, Rams, and Steelers. The reason those are interesting is because those would be potential trade-up teams. Rarely do you see a huge trade-up for a receiver, but not never. Obviously, that is something to keep an eye on.”
Rapoport name-dropping almost 10 teams as possible draft-day fits for Odunze isn’t something we should overlook.
Rome Odunze and the Bears are an ideal fit, but…
… there are so many awesome receive prospects in this draft class. So much so that I’m actively talking myself into not falling head-over-heels for one in particular because there are so many intriguing receiver talents. Even still … I’m very much into the idea of Rome Odunze being picked by the Bears in the 2024 NFL Draft. He very well could be available with that No. 9 pick. If he is, the Bears shouldn’t hesitate.
As you might expect, the Combine testing numbers for Odunze were solid…
CHECK IT OUT: Rome Odunze Combine Results
… but we know all too well that timing and testing numbers don’t necessarily make for great receivers. With that being said, Odunze’s résumé is legit:
If you’re looking for a Rome Odunze scouting report, Patrick has you covered. And for good measure, here is a snippet from his latest:
Odunze is an outstanding ball tracker, and he’s able to create separation late in his route with shoulder bumps or subtle push-offs. He has excellent body control and balance, capable of jumping and spinning to catch the ball before landing and continuing to run downfield. Odunze catches the ball outside of his body and is highly effective in contested catch situations. He frequently overpowers or boxes out opponents to give himself leverage at the catch point. Odunze is also skilled at running through arm tackles after the catch, and he’s often used on screen plays, where he can weave his way through traffic to gain significant yardage.
Odunze has a good understanding of zones, anticipating the soft spots in the coverage before settling down and providing a clear target for his quarterback. He’s a dedicated player who works hard in the run game, using his physicality to punch and wall off opponents. He’s a reliable and consistent performer, having dropped only three of the 140 targets he received last season, according to PFF.
Between the on-field production, Combine timing and test results, and checking all of the important measurement boxes, Rome Odunze looks like the total package. No wonder NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport can see five teams in the top 10 using a first-round pick on Odunze. And if it isn’t one of those teams, it is possible that someone from that group of four outside of the top 10 could swing a deal and move up in the draft. Sure, trading up for a wide receiver is a rarity in the NFL Draft. But it just takes one team to throw everything for a loop.
Then again, the Bears can throw a wrench in the plans of a bunch of teams behind them by taking Odunze with the No. 9 pick. But we can cross that bridge when we get to it.
