Rome Odunze

Bears selected Washington WR Rome Odunze with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Although the Bears were supposedly “very open for business” with their second first-rounder, they decided to stay put and continue to build out what is looking like an extremely impressive supporting cast for No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. A deep dominator who turned into a prolific touchdown scorer for 2023 national title game participant Washington, Odunze (6’3/212) would have a claim to top-dog status in some receiver classes. Since Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers exist, he had to settle for “consensus No. 3” in this year’s group. Simply the most prolific deep wideout in the country, Odunze has vise-grip hands despite the sometimes volatile nature of that down-field role. Elite in contested-catch situations, Odunze also consistently adds extra yards after the catch. Odunze might have even better ball skills than Harrison. It’s Odunze’s hands and positioning that make him more — much more — than just a deep threat. He has the finer points of receiving down cold. That, combined with a size/speed game that is growing rare at the NFL level give Odunze “No. 1 overall receiver for the class” upside despite his stiff competition.