WR Rome Odunze, CHI (2 Viewers)

[zamboni]

Jacob Gibbs
Rome Odunze in Week 1:

+ 94% snap rate (WR1)
+ 9 targets (27% share - third-highest of his career)
+ Unusually-low average depth of target (6.1 yards)

Both Odunze and DJ Moore ran roughly 1/3 of their routes from the slot.

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1965258766783525188?s=61

This looks great on paper, but watching the game it appeared as though Caleb either doesn't look Odunze's way that often or he doesn't trust him. His first look always seemed to be Zaccheaus, even when Rome was wide open.

Seems like a big part of that is Caleb’s continued reluctance to throw the ball down the field, where Rome does most of his damage. Lots of check downs/underneath stuff to Swift and Zaccheaus.

ETA: Maybe that will change considering the conservatism seemed to help stall their offensive momentum.

 

[The Frankman]

Rome Odunze caught 7-of-11 targets for 128 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears’ Week 2 loss to the Lions.

All three totals were new career highs as Odunze again soundly out-targeted DJ Moore. Through two weeks under new coach Ben Johnson, Odunze now has a 20-11 targets advantage. His scores came from 28 and six yards out. The 28-yarder was an across-the-field drag where he just got lost. The six-yarder came on a Caleb Williams rollout to the left. Finally looking like the top-10 draft pick he was last spring, Odunze could be blowing by Moore on the depth chart, though two games is a small sample size even to begin a football season. Odunze will be nearing WR2 status for Week 3 against the Cowboys.
- Rotoworld

 

[Faust]

Jacob Gibbs
Rome Odunze in Week 2:

+ 100% snap rate
+ 33% target share
+ 59% air yardage share

Odunze is nearly doubling his rookie season yard per route run rate through two games of Year 2.

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1967330595094286434?s=61

 

[zamboni]

Still only two weeks but has basically evolved into must start status.

 

[Ray Barboni]

Still only two weeks but has basically evolved into must start status.

Yep.

My DJ Moore stocks are pissing blood

 

[Faust]

The 33rd Team
Rome Odunze already has as many TDs this season as he had in his rookie year

Odunze's first half stats at Detroit:

5/82/2
16.4 yards per reception
1.60 EPA per target
158.3 rating when targeted

https://x.com/the33rdteamfb/status/1967295342518632930?s=61

 

[TampaMike19]

Pissed as DJM owner. Not sure if DJM getting tons of attention because Odunze was basically uncovered on his first crossing route td. Sheesh

At least this keeps Caleb viable as a fantasy starter

 

[mphtrilogy]

this was a nice development, I need to find a way to get him in my lineup now

 

[Faust]

Graham Barfield
Rome Odunze's uptick in usage has him looking like a borderline WR1 (top-18) rest of season

This year:
– First read targets: 33% (WR10)
– Expected FPG: 22.2 (WR3)
– Routes/dropback in 2-WR sets: 90%

Rookie year:
– First read targets: 19%
– XFPG: 11.7
– Route% in 2-WR sets: 31%

https://x.com/grahambarfield/status/1968388926214914273?s=61

 

[pinkstapler]

He's out snapping and out targeting every other receiving option on the team, namely DJ Moore. If he's not considered the WR1 for the Bears, I don't know what else he needs to do to get the title. Not that I expect him to stay there for the rest of the season, but he's the overall WR2 in fantasy scoring (depending on your settings obv.) And Caleb Williams still has a long way to go in his growth as a QB, so I imagine there's still room for improvement.

It would appear the rumors of Odunze's death were greatly exaggerated... never understood how anyone who actually watched Bears games last year were suddenly out on one of the best WR prospects of the past few years. Well other than the fact watching Bears games last year was torture lol. Ultimately talent wins out.

 

[Gally]

If he's not considered the WR1 for the Bears, I don't know what else he needs to do to get the title. Not that I expect him to stay there for the rest of the season, but he's the overall WR2 in fantasy scoring (depending on your settings obv.)

Just imagine if he didn't have the drops he has had. I am not stating this to bring him down or his usage down. It's just surprising that he has done so well even with the drops he has had.

 

[infantsam]

If he's not considered the WR1 for the Bears, I don't know what else he needs to do to get the title. Not that I expect him to stay there for the rest of the season, but he's the overall WR2 in fantasy scoring (depending on your settings obv.)

Just imagine if he didn't have the drops he has had. I am not stating this to bring him down or his usage down. It's just surprising that he has done so well even with the drops he has had.

This says 1 drop

2025 Advanced Wide Receiver Stats | NFL Metrics | FantasyPros

View 2025 Advanced Wide Receiver Stats including Yards After Catch, Average Depth of Targets, Catchable Passes, and more. See how WRs perform across the NFL's key metrics.

www.fantasypros.com

 

[pinkstapler]

If he's not considered the WR1 for the Bears, I don't know what else he needs to do to get the title. Not that I expect him to stay there for the rest of the season, but he's the overall WR2 in fantasy scoring (depending on your settings obv.)

Just imagine if he didn't have the drops he has had. I am not stating this to bring him down or his usage down. It's just surprising that he has done so well even with the drops he has had.

It's a valid comment for sure. Not positive where he's at on drops this year, but that was probably my only real complaint on him from his rookie season. Seeing as it wasn't really an issue in college I was hoping it would work itself out.

The optimist in me still sees Randle-El as one of the best WR coaches in the league, and I imagine it's something he's tearing Rome up about weekly at this point and will continue to emphasize in practice which should lead to improvement. Again, it was never a thing in college for him really, so hoping it's more of a 'yips' thing than technique.

The pessimist in me feels like they do still have plenty of options and if Ben Johnson gets sick of it he could just start to feature Burden/Moore more. Being that Caleb still looks to be at the first-read level of his game, the WRs getting the first look as dictated by the play call are just going to get the most usage. So kind of still in Ben Johnsons control.

 

[Gally]

If he's not considered the WR1 for the Bears, I don't know what else he needs to do to get the title. Not that I expect him to stay there for the rest of the season, but he's the overall WR2 in fantasy scoring (depending on your settings obv.)

Just imagine if he didn't have the drops he has had. I am not stating this to bring him down or his usage down. It's just surprising that he has done so well even with the drops he has had.

This says 1 drop

2025 Advanced Wide Receiver Stats | NFL Metrics | FantasyPros

View 2025 Advanced Wide Receiver Stats including Yards After Catch, Average Depth of Targets, Catchable Passes, and more. See how WRs perform across the NFL's key metrics.

www.fantasypros.com

I am not sure what the official drop stat counts as a drop but I have watched every game so far and I would say he has dropped at least 4 or 5 passes that he should have caught and they would have added at least 1 more TD and a bunch more yards.

 

[jobarules]

Guess he was a sell high after week 4

 

[Faust]

Bears WR Rome Odunze breaking out in Year 2

 

[Doubles]

Guess he was a sell high after week 4

I turned down a trade to acquire JSN for Rome and Treyveon. My night terrors wake me up every hour.

 

[urbanhack]

Bears WR Rome Odunze breaking out in Year 2

Fixed:

Bears WR Rome Odunze kind of showing breakout glimpses in a few games in Year 2.

 

[zamboni]

Bears WR Rome Odunze breaking out in Year 2

Fixed:

Bears WR Rome Odunze kind of showing breakout glimpses in a few games in Year 2.

Could just be some normalization of the trend that most expected this year from the passing game - lots of mouths to feed and only one football. Loveland starting to show signs of growth isn't going to help matters.

 

[FarFromHome]

As I glance at rosters in my fav league, Odunze pops out as someone I'm gonna go after. In a blitzkrieg approach 5 offers sent to this owner.

 

[menobrown]

Guess he was a sell high after week 4

IMO is now a buy low.

 

[EWV1]

Guess he was a sell high after week 4

IMO is now a buy low.

Do you prefer Odunze or Rice?

 

[menobrown]

Guess he was a sell high after week 4

IMO is now a buy low.

Do you prefer Odunze or Rice?

Depends.

Rice for the shorter term outlook, win now, and/or if you play fantasy like a stock and want a trade asset that could be flipped sooner then later for maximum return because he's a legit difference maker to championship races.

I like Rome's long term outlook more to grow with Caleb and Ben Johnson whereas Rice is talented but his value seems more tied to Mahomes and the system and he's also a little older then Rome.

 

[SanDawg]

Guess he was a sell high after week 4

IMO is now a buy low.

Do you prefer Odunze or Rice?

For me it's Rice. More to do with the QB then anything though. Interestingly, I have Rice and have been offered Odunze and Harvey but he wants Achane. Really hard to pull that trigger. We only have to start one RB and with Chase Brown trending up I might be able to pull the trigger.

 

[Faust]

Jacob Infante
#Bears WR Rome Odunze among second-year receivers:

• 31 receptions (3rd)
• 473 yards (1st)
• 5 touchdowns (1st)
• 78.0 receiving grade (2nd)
• 94.1 passer rating targeted (5th for qualified WRs)

In a loaded draft class, Rome’s been the best of the bunch this year.

https://x.com/jacobinfante24/status/1982859296795930756?s=61

Sam
Would like to see him be a little bit more consistent with his hands, but still a highly talented receiver.

https://x.com/polesisnothim/status/1982859615835652148?s=61

Jacob Infante
Yeah his drop rate was listed around 8% by PFF. Which isn’t totally awful but it’s pretty mediocre, especially for a WR1 type

Clearly his biggest weakness so far but he’s been great just about everywhere else

https://x.com/jacobinfante24/status/1982864109101265376?s=61

 

[Footballdaz]

Anyone else worried Abt his heel?
It's a possibility that Da Bears might be without their top 4 wrs this week.

Maybe Duvernay possible flyer if 3 or all wrs out for Bears..

With Lamar back,they will have to play catch-up.

 

[SoBeDad]

Anyone else worried Abt his heel?
It's a possibility that Da Bears might be without their top 4 wrs this week.

Maybe Duvernay possible flyer if 3 or all wrs out for Bears..

With Lamar back,they will have to play catch-up.

CHI plays the Bengals this week. MIA plays Lamar in the 305 tonight.

 

[travdogg]

Anyone else worried Abt his heel?
It's a possibility that Da Bears might be without their top 4 wrs this week.

Maybe Duvernay possible flyer if 3 or all wrs out for Bears..

With Lamar back,they will have to play catch-up.

I'm not worried yet. I think its more than likely the Bears just gave everyone a rest day, and that both Odunze and DJ Moore are playing. Burden is the only one I'm expecting to be out right now.

 

[menobrown]

Anyone else worried Abt his heel?
It's a possibility that Da Bears might be without their top 4 wrs this week.

Maybe Duvernay possible flyer if 3 or all wrs out for Bears..

With Lamar back,they will have to play catch-up.

I'm not worried yet. I think it’s more than likely the Bears just gave everyone a rest day, and that both Odunze and DJ Moore are playing. Burden is the only one I'm expecting to be out right now.

This is how I feel.

DJ was DNP last Wednesday. So was Swift as well as I think some other weeks.

If they DNP today the worry meter will ratchet up but not their yet, this is more their MO.

Burden is the one I have just assumed was going to miss this week.

 

[menobrown]

Every WR other then Burden got in a limited practice today, would be surprised if any of them were out.

ETA-except for Burden, who I just assume will be out.

 

[Faust]

Underdog NFL
Rome Odunze (heel) said he'll play Week 9.

https://x.com/underdognfl/status/1983978963228881225?s=61

 

[Faust]

Courtney Cronin
Rome Odunze said that his heel injury has been a “progressive thing” he’s dealt with throughout the season and the Baltimore game was where it was at his peak. He was limited today and said he’ll be to go in Cincinnati.

https://x.com/courtneyrcronin/status/1983979984906846643?s=61