With the ninth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears selected wide receiver, Rome Odunze. Typically, a wide receiver being drafted in the top 10 is a pretty good indicator that the player will be a quality asset in fantasy football. However, Odunze could find himself the victim of a poor situation in Chicago during his rookie season. Based on his current ADP, does Rome Odunze carry any fantasy football draft value into 2024?
2024 Chicago Bears Fantasy Outlook
In terms of flashy moves, the Bears were among the darling teams of the NFL offseason. In the draft, Chicago selected Caleb Williams first overall with the vision of having him provide some long-overdue stability at the quarterback position. The Bears also signed running back D’Andre Swift in free agency and traded for veteran wideout Keenan Allen.
The new weapons join an offense that will bring back receiver D.J. Moore and tight end Cole Kmet in 2024. Swift’s backfield mates include Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson, the latter of whom should also serve as a safety valve for Williams in the passing game. With so many fixtures already in place, a few were surprised that Chicago also went ahead and drafted Rome Odunze with their second first-round pick.
Rome Odunze Fantasy Football Profile
From a player profile standpoint, Odunze stacks up just fine against any wideout in this year’s rookie class. Following a modest first two collegiate seasons at Washington, Odunze took off once fellow top-10 draftee Michael Penix Jr. arrived in Seattle. Odunze sailed over the 1,000-yard mark in each of the past two seasons. His 2023 numbers were truly remarkable: 92 receptions, 1640 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Odunze helped Washington advance to the CFP National Championship Game last season. That kind of team success will be tough to replicate in his first pro season. Despite all of the optimism surrounding the Bears, there is still a good way to go to be considered a legitimate contender. Given the glaring holes Chicago has both along the offensive line and on the defensive side of the ball, it’s no wonder that some were surprised Odunze was the selection at No. 9 overall.
For all of his talent and potential, Odunze is slated to be the third option at wide receiver heading into his rookie campaign behind Moore and Allen. That doesn’t exactly help his cause in terms of fantasy football production. In addition, he will be working with a rookie QB who, in turn, will be throwing from behind a very suspect offensive line.
Rome Odunze Fantasy ADP
According to Fantasy Data, Rome Odunze’s current fantasy football average draft position (ADP) in PPR drafts has him going 93rd overall. At his position, he currently ranks as WR39. Players slotted directly ahead of him at the position include Xavier Worthy and Diontae Johnson. Meanwhile, Christian Watson and Ladd McConkey are situated directly behind Odunze in the current fantasy ADP.
Where Should I Draft Rome Odunze in Fantasy Football 2024?
To answer this question in as simple a manner as possible, you should NOT draft Rome Odunze in fantasy football this year. The landing spot of the Bears raises more concerns than it provides reassurances. Competition for targets, a rookie quarterback and a bad offensive line all point towards Odunze’s rookie season as a receiver falling far short of his WR44 ADP expectations.
One need not look further than some of the players listed near Odunze in the current ADP. I would much rather have either of the Chiefs’ Xavier Worthy or the Chargers’ Ladd McConkey on my team if forced to draft a rookie wideout in this range. Both have the potential to be the preferred wide receiver option on their respective teams from Day 1. Both also have experienced and exceptional QBs throwing them the football. Neither of these facets is true when it comes to Odunze.
Unless Odunze’s ADP takes a fairly significant hit between now and when your league holds its fantasy football draft, there is very little about his situation that merits spending an early seventh-round pick on him. While his talent is undeniable, the situation in Chicago could easily result in Odunze finishing the year outside of the top 50 wideouts in terms of fantasy production.
