Chicago Bears select receiver Rome Odunze with No. 9 pick

LAKE FOREST – The Bears stole the show Thursday night during the NFL draft.

Not long after selecting USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick, the Bears selected Washington receiver Rome Odunze with the No. 9 pick – giving them an electric duo.

Many Bears fans were hoping that one of the top three receivers would fall to the Bears at No. 9, and that’s exactly what happened. Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. went No. 4 to the Cardinals, and LSU’s Malik Nabers went No. 6 to the Giants.

After the Atlanta Falcons shocked everyone by taking Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8, the Bears were on the clock and Odunze remained on the board.

The Bears will pair Odunze with veteran receivers DJ Moore and Keenan Allen in a passing attack that could be much more explosive than it was a year ago. At 6-foot-3, 212 pounds, Odunze is a sizable wide receiver who also boasts a 39-inch vertical jump and a 4.45 40-yard dash time.

Odunze recently worked out with all three of his future teammates – Williams, Moore and Allen – in California.

“I learned a lot,” Odunze said. “It was a great workout, just four of us getting better, working on our craft. That’s exactly what it was. I see that Keenan’s smooth, I see how explosive DJ is and I see that Caleb can sling the ball wherever he chooses. I’m super excited to work with that group.”

Odunze is a big reason why Washington reached the College Football Playoff national championship game last season. Penix, drafted just one spot ahead of him, often leaned on Odunze when the Huskies needed a big play. And Odunze provided when it came to big plays.

Now, Williams will be the quarterback leaning on Odunze. With Moore and Allen on the roster, Odunze won’t be expected to do it all for the Bears’ offense next season. The Bears’ passing attack rated 27th out of 32 NFL teams last season. A trio of Moore, Allen and Odunze figures to be a big upgrade.

“I got to watch [Williams] when I was playing him in college and he is super talented and a generational player,” Odunze said. “So to be able to catch balls from him and compete right beside him is a special thing. I’m super confident that we can build a relationship on and off the field and I think it’ll be a dynamic duo going forward.”

Earlier in the day Thursday, there were some rumblings that the Bears were considering a trade down from the No. 9 pick. Several national reporters indicated that the Bears were considering moving back, depending upon how the first eight picks shook out.

But it was never going to happen if Odunze was available. If Odunze is as good as advertised, the Bears could have an elite quarterback and an elite receiver on rookie contracts for the next four-to-five years. That could be invaluable as general manager Ryan Poles builds out his team.

Williams and Odunze were on the same flight to Detroit earlier this week, sharing pictures on Twitter. In the green room at the draft, Williams appeared to be thrilled when the Bears landed Odunze. Williams later crashed Odunze’s media session and the two shared a big hug.

“It’s awesome to come in with a rookie quarterback because we can grow and develop alongside each other,” Odunze said. “We don’t have any worries about someone retiring or someone else coming in. We can develop alongside one another and grow as players and learn the league and how we need to have success within it.”

Odunze became the first receiver selected by the Bears in the first round since they took Kevin White seventh overall in 2015. It marked the first time the Bears made two picks in the first round since 2003.