RP Clips: Start of a WR1 Surge for Rome Odunze?

Matt Harmon (0:00)

This is Reception Perception, The Show. James Koh and Matt Harmon.

James Koh (0:06)

OK, we talked about 2024's draft class making a little bit of a comeback, a lot of noise there in week number four. Rome Odunze was making some noise, too. He had his best, I would say his best game of the season. Seven targets, six grabs for 94 yards for Chicago playing with a backup quarterback.

First of all, can I ask you, like, why? I'm just so, I'm just, I don't get it. Like, why does Chicago go with Bajan after Case Keenum just went absolutely ballistic the week before? I thought that was a little bit of a surprise. But anyways, Rome Odunze, good game.

Matt Harmon (0:40)

They love Bajan, man.

They think he's one of the best 32 quarterbacks in the NFL. He's a young guy that they're really invested in. I think if Bajan didn't pop up on the concussion protocol in week three, he was going to start that game. And I get it, the Case Keenum obviously played fantastic. The Case Keenum was thinking about coaching here pretty soon. So I understand them wanting to get Bajan some reps, and I think they just like the way he operates the offense. I wouldn't say that Bajan was perfect in this game for sure. There was at least interception. There was interception. There was interception. His first Jets interception in what, like hundreds and hundreds of days?

I mean, they didn't have one last year. They got one in this one despite the fact that, man, the Jets got run off the damn field in this game, bro. It was crazy. The Bears had more first downs than the Jets ran plays in this game. Let me say that one more time. The Bears had more first downs than the Jets ran plays. It was crazy. Anyways, so Bajan, I think, had at his moments whatever, but obviously the run game was the story here. Kyle Menunga completely took this game over, massively tilting anybody, present company included that had Deandre Swift on their fantasy teams.

James Koh (1:51)

But it is what it is.

Matt Harmon (1:52)

A Swift fumble in the third quarter basically put this one in the hands of Kyle Menunga, who was already balling out. But impressive game for Rome Odunze. Great to see him bounce back after dropping the touchdown in week three. But honestly, I think Rome has been pretty good this entire season when he's been outside of that one, the easiest catch he's ever going to see in the end zone. Which again, I'm critical of him missing these opportunities. I've been critical of that because, especially with this offense and how crowded it is, you're not going to see opportunities every single week. You have to make the ones count. You can't lose those opportunities. And he did in week three. But other than that, he's definitely been really impressive. Context included here. Week one, he's not a full time player. He only runs a route on 58% of the drop backs, but he makes one huge play where he mosses a guy on the right sideline for a big catch there.

There's that one. Week two, I thought he had some nice routes on tape. Him and Caleb, they missed each other on one opportunity. But otherwise, it's a monsoon game. Brian Forrest is awesome. We know the deal there. Week three, he drops the touchdown, but otherwise was useful moving the team down the field. Then this week four game against the Jets, he runs more routes than anybody. He sees seven targets, six catches, 94 yards.

And this was one where he averaged only nine area yards per target, which I thought was interesting because he's been this deep, deep receiver through the first three weeks, almost 18 area yards per target. I like seeing him get more of those base routes and opportunities here. And Bajan talked about this after the game. He said, quote, I thought he looked outstanding during practice, was going up and getting everything I put his way more of the same today as he continues to build that rhythm when he's the number one in the progression. I'm more inclined, more incentive to get him the rock. Did an outstanding job running clean routes, being QB friendly, showing explosive play after the catch. And yeah, just man, I'm watching Rome right now on these, like the breaking routes, the digs, the posts, the outs. He's like uncoverable really on those routes. He's just open all the time, creating a ton of separation. So definitely needs to finish plays at the catch point more.

But I continue to kind of see him framed as this like sacrificial X receiver, that is just not how he is used. He's used on the deeper routes relative to some of the Mickey Mouse stuff that the other receivers get. And those guys are good on those roles. But if they're going to be this explosive offense that hunts for chunk plays off the play action, everything, like Rome is going to have to see more usage there. So good to see him have a nice game in week number four. That is for sure. Now, I mean, some of the other guys had their moments as well.