Chicago Bears select Rome Odunze with No. 9 pick: Instant grade and analysis

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles told reporters earlier this week that the team was comfortable with the draft selections that they had in the 2024 NFL Draft and when the Bears were on the clock with the ninth overall selection, it should be no surprise that they kept the pick and made a selection.

With the ninth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bears selected wide receiver Rome Odunze.

Speculation of the Bears targeting Odunze with the ninth overall selection increased on Tuesday when the wide receiver was on Tuesday with reports that he was practicing with Caleb Williams, the Bears' first overall selection, and current Bears wide receivers DJ Moore and Keenan Allen in Los Angeles last week.

Chicago Bears select Rome Odunze in the 2024 NFL Draft, Grade - A

In following the trend of every move that the Bears have made this offseason, the team has been comitted to surrounding Williams with as much talent as possible. The selection of Odunze gives the Bears a superstar wide receiver to pair with their superstar rookie quarterback.

Even after the addition of Allen via trade this offseason, the Bears still had a need for a wide receiver. Given Allen's ability and success in playing as a slot receiver, Odunze is going to serve as an excellent option to line up on the opposite side of Moore.

The arrival of Odunze also lessens the pressure on the Bears to sign Allen to a contract extension. The main reason why the Bears were able to acquire Allen is due to his pay-cut in order to remain with the Los Angeles Chargers. Allen is coming off the best season of his career in 2023 and if he repeats that production in 2024, he likely will be pricing himself at the top of the market. The selection of Odunze will ensure that the Bears remain set at the wide receiver position in the even that Allen leaves through free agency next Spring.