- Jul 23, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) runs with the ball during training camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Rome Odunze 2025 NFL Redraft Outlook: Second-Year Leap or Just Offseason Hype?

Originally posted on Total Apex Fantasy Sports
By Andrew Kim | Last updated Jul 31, 2025 3:54 PM ET

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson himself recently delivered lofty praise, calling Rome Odunze a “prototypical X receiver” who “wins most of his matchups” and runs a “really detailed route tree.”

When it comes to NFL training camps, optimism flows as freely as Gatorade on the sidelines. Every coach praises their roster, reporters feed us endless highlight reels, and we, the fans and analysts, eat it up. But when it comes to Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze, the buzz feels like it carries a little more weight.

That’s not exactly coach-speak meant to motivate a fringe player. No, Johnson broke down specifics, from one-on-one battles to precise route execution, highlighting just how important Odunze could become in this Chicago offense. After a rookie campaign that left some fantasy managers disappointed, is Odunze poised to redeem himself in Year 2?

Rome Odunze 2024 Stats and Fantasy Production

The 2024 season didn’t exactly go as planned for Odunze, the ninth overall pick in last year’s NFL Draft. Expectations were sky-high, but a final stat line of 54 receptions, 734 yards, and three touchdowns didn’t come close to matching them. Sure, he showed flashes of greatness, but those flashes were dimmed by inconsistency. Blame it on a teething offense, shaky quarterback play, or rookie growing pains, but it’s clear he fell short of some lofty projections.

The good news? Those raw numbers don’t tell the full story. Odunze led Bears wideouts in snaps and was targeted on 101 plays, making it clear the coaching staff saw his potential. Now, with a full offseason to adapt to a revamped offense under Johnson, the table is set for Odunze to flip the narrative.

Rome Odunze 2025 Fantasy Outlook

Dec 8, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) catches a touchdown during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images

Here’s where it gets exciting. Johnson isn’t just hyping up one of his players; he’s giving us a blueprint of how Odunze fits into his playbook. “Slant routes, stop routes, go routes,” Johnson said, highlighting Odunze as a versatile, do-it-all X receiver who can thrive along the sidelines.

That versatility is the key here. A player who can win at all three levels of the field presents a nightmare for opposing defenses, paired with one of the most creative offensive play-callers in the NFL. While veteran DJ Moore offers similar versatility, the upside case for Odunze is there as a player that can really develop in his scheme.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Fantasy Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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