Bears select top receiver Rome Odunze with No. 9 overall pick |
The Bears have another playmaker for their 2024 offense.
On Thursday night, the Chicago Bears selected receiver Rome Odunze with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Odunze had impressive stats last season: 1,639 yards (1st), 74 first downs (1st), 21 contested catches (1st), 75% contested catch rate (1st), a 15.5-yard average depth of target (2nd), 13 TDs (t-4th), and a 3.2% drop rate (6th). The Bears have a tremendous offensive duo out of the draft: quarterback Caleb Williams and Odunze, who are already friends and have thrown balls to each other as recently as last week. "I think we can do special things," Odunze said during his media conference call after being selected with Williams. It’s awesome to come in with a rookie quarterback because we can grow alongside each other." Bears general manager Ryan Poles was thrilled out the first round went. "If you told me we'd end up with Caleb and Rome a few weeks ago, I would have said you're crazy," Poles told the media. I was nervous he wasn't going to be there. Ian had to hold me back from trading up and doing something crazy." The Bears have two draft picks left: No. 75 overall in the third round and No. 122 overall in the fourth round. Those two rounds will be held on Friday evening. Heading to the Windy City 💨 The @ChicagoBears take @RomeOdunze at No. 9 This is our Roman Empire. pic.twitter.com/jMlXJpZXlV Rome Odunze teaming up with Caleb Williams for the @ChicagoBears! pic.twitter.com/gt8rLaJpXU “When my name gets called, it’s all of us getting called.” 🥹@RomeOdunze has a message for his grandparents. @ChicagoBears | @UW_Football | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/uovngD5c5N A perfect fit. pic.twitter.com/BJoWhkQFgy With DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and now Rome Odunze, the Bears have arguably the best wide receiver group in the NFL — and undoubtedly the top trio in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/KThOFqdxs7 Big 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/HRHoc4Sgsg Caleb Williams 🤝 Rome Odunze
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— No Context Chicago Bears 🐻 (@BearsNoContext) April 26, 2024
As wholesome as it gets 🫶
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