NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bears wrapped up NFL Draft weekend by making 5 picks. They didn’t check every box on their to-do list, but General Manager Ryan Poles looks to have solidified a busy offseason with immediate impact starters and depth. We’ll meet the Bears’ draft picks, get to know a bit about their past, and where they project to go moving forward.
Previous: QB Caleb Williams
ROME ODUNZE (ROUND 1, PICK 9)
There is an artistry in Rome Odunze’s game. There isn’t a ton of wasted motion. And his knack for splash plays is something that shows up often when watching his games. Odunze’s strides are smooth as he glides down the field. But don’t get it twisted. There is a speed element in his game. That man ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds. Do not sleep on his speed. Because if you do, he’ll be behind you celebrating a touchdown reception before you can even react.
HIGHLIGHTS
CHECK IT OUT: More Rome Odunze Highlights
THREE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
STRENGTHS
With strengths like the ones listed above, it is no surprise that Rome Odunze was checking in as a top-5 prospect from NFL Draft analysts all over the place. My favorite thing about Watching Odunze’s clips is his playmaking ability. Having reliable hands and separation skills helps give Odunze this aura about him that makes quarterbacks feel comfortable throwing him the ball.
WEAKNESSES
One thing I always ask myself while reading through a player’s weaknesses is if these things can be corrected with coaching at the next level. Hence, I have highlighted the three one-liners from the Rome Odunze pre-draft profile to underscore that so many of a player’s perceived weaknesses are simply things that a player needs to work on in order to reach peak-level performance. I’ll be curiously watching Odunze’s practices at training camp this summer at Halas Hall.
RELATIVE ATHLETIC SCORE
Relative Athletic Score grades player measurements on a 0-10 scale and compares them to their contemporaries. It is a unique way to give some of these prospects some more depth and perspective.
That Braylon Edwards comp is an interesting one for Rome Odunze. Edwards’ pro career was rather underwhelming. But he put up 850+ receiving yard seasons four years out of a five-year stretch in his career from 2006-2010. For what it’s worth, Odunze will be entering a better quarterback situation than what Edwards stepped into when he joined the Cleveland Browns in 2005.
WHERE HE FITS
A dangerous third option behind veteran receivers DJ Moore and Keenan Allen as a rookie, but Caleb Williams’ No. 1 target down the line.
We’ve often discussed the value of a quarterback on a rookie contract. But it is time for us to start applying that type of thinking to other premium positions. Think about the type of contracts top wide receivers are commanding these days. Now, think about how much a rookie scale contract is worth. To put it in perspective, let’s break it down like this:
I won’t ever again boil down a player’s value and frame it as a dollars and sense thing. It is pretty dehumanizing and I don’t like how it reads. But I cannot ignore that Rome Odunze is incredibly valuable because his skills can make his rookie deal tremendously valuable as part of the team-building process.
This quote via an anonymous NFC regional scout from the NFL’s Odunze draft profile is a nice note to end on:
“Team captain. Good leader. Tough. Dependable. (Michael) Penix would just fling it up in the air sometimes and (Odunze) just went and got it. He’s my favorite player on the West Coast.”
Rome Odunze is everything a fan should want out of a top-tier wide receiver prospect. Leadership skills. Reliability. Playmaking ability. An affable personality. What else could you want?
