Bears Considering Only 2 Pass-Catchers for No. 9 Pick

The Chicago Bears have a chance to draft game-changers twice within the first 10 picks of the 2024 NFL Draft. Everybody knows that they will take USC QB Caleb Williams with the first pick in the NFL draft, giving them their next franchise signal caller.

However, no one knows what the Bears will do with the ninth overall pick. Chicago could take a wideout to play alongside Keenan Allen and DJ Moore, an offensive lineman, or a pass rusher to play opposite Montez Sweat.

If you are in Bears GM Ryan Poles, it's not a bad spot to be in as you can take the best player available and dictate how the rest of the first round goes. Chicago needs a pass rusher more than a receiver after acquiring Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason.

But that isn’t stopping the Bears, who have their eyes set on two star-studded pass-catchers, who could be available at No. 9.

Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline reported Tuesday that “if the Bears go pass catcher with the ninth pick, it will come down to Bowers or receiver Rome Odunze.” Pauline previously reported that Chicago was one of the teams showing interest in Georgia tight end Brock Bowers.

The Bears don’t technically need Bowers as they signed veteran tight end Gerald Everett in free agency and already have Cole Kmet. Therefore, Chicago’s interest could be just them doing its due diligence or a smokescreen to try and get other teams to move up for Bowers.

However, Odunze is an interesting prospect for the Bears as it’s not a guarantee that Allen will stay in the Windy City after being traded there this offseason. If that’s the case, Chicago needs to think about the future of the wide receiver position and Odunze could be the perfect wideout to grow with Williams.

Last season at Washington, Odunze established himself as one of the top wide receivers in the country. The 6-foot-2 wideout set career highs across the board with 92 receptions for 1,640 yards and 17 touchdowns. 

The first-team All-American receiver plays a physical game, is an outstanding route runner, and has great hands, which makes him a good fit next to Allen and Moore. Odunze is the favorite to be drafted ninth overall (+185 on FanDuel Sportsbook), but we know things can and will change before draft day.

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