RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Start in 12 Team Leagues or larger
POSITIONAL VALUE: Flex
ANALYSIS: The Bears made some big moves during the offseason. After three seasons in Chicago, the Bears traded Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers, with the former Ohio State Buckeye in line to begin the 2024-25 campaign behind Russell Wilson.
To be fair, Fields’ time in The Windy City wasn’t entirely bad. However, his performances on the field weren’t enough to keep him as the team’s signal-caller moving forward.
As a result, the Bears believe they have found their quarterback of the future, selecting Caleb Williams with the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
But it was a busy night for the franchise, resulting in Chicago bolstering the offense even more by drafting Rome Odunze at No. 9.
Without question, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers are the coveted rookie wideouts for fantasy managers. Yet, it’s safe to say Odunze has garnered nearly as much interest during fantasy drafts.
Every preseason route for Rome Odunze.
Odunze was the Bears WR on the field most with Caleb Williams this preseason.
- 17 routes
- 3 targets
- 1 reception
- 45 yards pic.twitter.com/JbSVrnMUrY— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) August 26, 2024
With that said, Odunze is expected to have a productive career in the National Football League for many years to come. But is he worthy of a spot in fantasy lineups when the Bears host the Titans in Week 1?
The rookie has many things going against him regarding his fantasy potential to begin the year. Of course, it will be Odunze’s first professional contest, meaning there’s bound to be some bumps in the road.
While there is the fact that Williams will also be appearing in his first NFL contest, Odunze’s potential for a potent fantasy showing is semi-contingent on the availability of Keenan Allen, who has battled a foot injury recently. There’s also DJ Moore, who will be hungry for attention after coming off the most productive year of his career.
With all those things going against Odunze, fantasy managers will be taking a risk by starting him against an improved Titans defense in Week 1. Will the 22-year-old catch at least a few passes? Probably, but outside of a flex spot in 12-team leagues and up, Odunze’s presence in fantasy lineups is a gamble.
But if Allen's foot injury somehow prevents him from suiting up in Week 1, Odunze's fantasy stock will surge.
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