Let me be honest with you — I haven’t allowed myself to think about Ryan Poles drafting any of the ‘Big 3’ Wide Receivers (Marvin Harrison Jr, Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze) for two reasons:
- It’s seemed more and more likely over time that all three of those WRs will be drafted by #8 (with Atlanta trading out of their pick and allowing a WR-needy team to jump Chicago)
- If one of those WRs did fall to 9, it’s seemed like an obvious Ryan Poles move to subsequently dangle that 3rd WR as a trade chip for the WR-needy team described in Atlanta’s deal above, giving Ryan Poles a few more picks in the 2024 draft.
This logic made sense to me for a long time. But a few things happened yesterday that have me wondering if Ryan Poles has an explosive move planned for mid-Thursday night.
First off, when asked about whether Ryan Poles felt any need to add picks in this draft he had this to say:
Ryan Poles on whether he feels the need to add more than the Bears’ four selections: “No, I feel really good with where we’re at.”
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) April 23, 2024
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Is that gamesmanship? Could be, but Ryan Poles has a habit of being unusually honest with the media in open sessions. I’ll never forget standing at Poles’ presser at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine where he all but told the media that he wanted to trade #1 overall before the start of Free Agency. Within days, the pick had been dealt.
But Poles (potentially) sticking at #9 doesn’t automatically signal interest in Odunze being the pick. The Bears could easily stick at #9 and take any of the popular pass-rushers on the board — names like Byron Murphy, Jared Verse, Dallas Turner come to mind.
But search presumed #1 Overall Pick Caleb Williams’ social media, and you’ll find a budding relationship blooming with he and Rome Odunze — is this a smoke screen? Or a smoke signal? You tell me.
Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze didn’t just take the same flight to Detroit for the draft: I’m told Odunze recently caught balls from Williams … who also was throwing with #Bears WRs Keenan Allen and D.J. Moore.
Chicago owns the Nos. 1 and 9 picks, and hosted Odunze on a visit. pic.twitter.com/Axc4PBzlSe
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 23, 2024
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Ultimately I’ll be elated if the Bears prioritize supporting their young QB while building a dynamic, explosive offense. Seeing Ryan Poles surround his young QB with talent would mark a step towards ‘breaking the cycle’ that he professed to want to put an end to in Chicago. What’s not to like about that?
Lately it’s felt like there’s no wrong answer a #9 — if they add a pass rusher? Great! That’s a hard thing to do further down in the draft.
If they add an offensive stud? Great! I’m happy they added a blue-chipper, whether that be at WR (one of the most valuable positions in football based on salary) or Offensive Tackle.
The wait until tomorrow evening couldn’t feel any longer than it does right now. But as Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze joke around together in Detroit… dare we dream of Rome?
Oh shit yall I just saw Rome Odunze on my flight to Detroit!! Big fan!
— Caleb Williams (@CALEBcsw) April 23, 2024
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Your Turn: Is Rome Odunze your preferred choice at #9?