This 2024 NFL Draft pick would break recent history for the Chicago Bears.

Slightly hidden among the excitement in Chicago about the Bears having the first overall pick in tonight's NFL Draft is the fact that they also hold the No. 9 pick.

The Bears' first pick is a secret to no one, as they are set to take quarterback Caleb Williams out of USC, but there has been much speculation on what they’ll do at No. 9.

Most mock drafts seem to agree on the first few picks, but beyond that, there are many different scenarios. There are a number of different opinions on who the Bears will pick at No. 9, or if they’ll keep the pick at all, many think they’ll trade down or even trade up. But one name we have heard is wide receiver Rome Odunze out of Washington. Odunze is widely viewed as a receiver who can line up outside and win one-on-one battles. If you pair him with D.J. Moore and newly acquired Keenan Allen, the imagination starts to run wild.

Rome Odunze would break a trend for the Chicago Bears.

This selection would give the Bears a chance to reverse their previously poor track record when it comes to drafting wide receivers. The last time the Bears drafted a clear-cut number-one receiver was when they took Alshon Jeffery in the second round of the 2012 draft.

The last time the Bears had success taking a receiver in the first round, you’d have to go all the way back to 1993 when they selected Curtis Conway with the seventh overall pick. Since then they’ve taken two other receivers in the first round - David Terrell (2001) and Kevin White (2015).

If I’ve just unlocked some unpleasant core memories for you, I apologize. Some honorable mentions for drafted Bears receivers who did very little receiving include Dazz Newsome, Riley Ridley, Javon Wims, and Velus Jones Jr.

I am intrigued by the prospect of the Bears selecting Odunze tonight at No. 9. It’s entirely possible they choose to go with an offensive lineman or an edge rusher instead. Jared Verse and Dallas Turner are both edge rushers who have been listed in mock drafts for the Bears. There’s also been some chatter about the Bears taking tight end Brock Bowers out of Georgia.

It’s also entirely possible that they draft Odunze and he doesn’t pan out. That is always a risk when an athlete goes from college to pro football. But the Bears certainly won’t change their poor track record of drafting wide receivers by avoiding quality talent at the position early in the draft. If the Bears have the opportunity to add another weapon to the arsenal of their soon-to-be rookie quarterback, they need to make the move.