In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears drafted WR Rome Odunze ($4,200) from the University of Washington at pick No. 9 overall to pair with generational QB Caleb Williams. Although the Bears are 1-1, their offense hasn’t gotten off to the start they were hoping for.
Veteran Keenan Allen left Week 1’s game early and has been out and not practicing ever since. You would think Odunze’s production would increase with Allen out, but that hasn’t been the case up until this point. Odunze has only caught three of his nine targets for 44 yards through two games. Odunze had two PPR fantasy points in Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans, and five points this past week on Sunday Night Football vs. the Houston Texans.
In Week 3, the Bears travel to Indianapolis to face the 0-2 Colts at 1:00 p.m. The Bears are +1 underdogs while being -108 to win the game outright on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Colts’ defense did a good job against the Green Bay Packers WRs last week. Romeo Doubs led the Packers in receiving with only 62 yards.
Odunze was the third WR taken in the 2024 Draft behind Marvin Harrison Jr. (Arizona Cardinals) and Malik Nabers (New York Giants). Odunze’s 44 yards are 10th among rookie WRs throughout the first two weeks of the season.
I still believe that Odunze will be a very good WR in the NFL for years to come and even become a factor for the Bears this season. But until he proves it on the field, he isn’t trustworthy enough to start in your fantasy lineup. It is a positive sign that his targets increased to five this past week. Hopefully, as his connection grows with Williams, his production will follow.
Unless you are in desperate need of a WR to fill a spot in your starting lineup due to injuries, starting Odunze isn’t a smart decision for Week 3.
Start or Sit Rome Odunze? Sit.
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