Rome Odunze Fantasy Overview

2024 Summary

Production & Fantasy Finishes

Odunze posted 146.9 PPR fantasy points (WR48) and 8.6 PPR points per game (WR70) across 17 games.

He caught 54 passes for 734 yards and 3 TDs on 101 targets (33rd among WRs).

While he had two top-15 fantasy weeks, he finished outside the top 36 in 13 games, making him an unreliable option despite steady involvement.

Usage & Role

Odunze earned a 17.8% target share, playing 64.9% of his snaps out wide and 34.8% from the slot.

He ran the seventh most routes among WRs yet finished just 48th in total fantasy points.

He was used as a vertical weapon, with a 14.3-yard average target depth (10th highest) and 24% of his targets coming 20+ yards downfield.

Efficiency Metrics

Odunze’s deep usage came with boom-or-bust results:

• 1.21 yards per route (64th of 84 WRs with 50+ targets)
• 65.5 PFF receiving grade (60th)
• 8.8% drop rate (23rd)

Despite a solid 3.1-yard average separation (per Next Gen Stats), his catch rate (55.1%) and TD underperformance (3 actual vs. 7.0 expected) limited his fantasy scoring.

Offensive Context

Chicago’s 2024 offense ranked 28th in total plays but played at a top-10 pace.

QB Caleb Williams was ineffective throwing deep, ranking 30th among 35 QBs in completion rate on passes over 25 yards. The lack of deep completions dragged down Odunze’s production as he was often targeted deep.

Williams’ rookie inconsistencies and a poor scheme didn’t help Odunze unlock his full potential as a rookie.

Injury History

Odunze played all 17 games in his rookie season and enters 2025 fully healthy.

2025 Expectations

Projected Role & Competition

Odunze projects to open 2025 as the Bears’ No. 2 WR behind D.J. Moore, but he faces increased competition for targets with rookie second-round WR Luther Burden.

The Bears also added TE Colston Loveland in the first round and bring back TE Cole Kmet.

HC Ben Johnson’s offense has also often utilized the RB as a pass catcher. He reunites with D’Andre Swift, who had a 14.4% target share with Johnson in 2022.

Odunze could remain the deep threat, in line with Jameson Williams’ role under Johnson.

Supporting Cast

QB Caleb Williams enters his second season and showed some flashes of the elite NFL prospect he was hyped as.

With new HC Ben Johnson looking to help Williams develop, utilizing Odunze to stretch the field could help that along.

The Bears return their two starting OTs in Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright, but remade the interior of the OL with three new starters in Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson.

Coaching & Offensive Scheme

Ben Johnson’s offense in Detroit ranked top-5 in points three years straight and maintained a balanced pass rate around 55%.

His creative passing concepts and rhythm-based scheme are a perfect fit to help the offense thrive.

Expect more structured plays, easier reads, and red-zone creativity — areas that should elevate Williams and lead to more production for Odunze.