How rookie Rome Odunze is learning from Keenan Allen, DJ Moore every day at Bears practice

How rookie Rome Odunze is learning from Keenan Allen, DJ Moore every day at Bears practice originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

Most rookie wide receivers selected at the top of any given NFL Draft enter their respective teams with high expectations to elevate that team’s offense.

But Rome Odunze, despite being drafted No. 9 with the Bears, doesn’t shoulder the same expectations.

“I think it has its advantages and disadvantages. But for me, I think it’s perfect,” Odunze said of his role. “Being able to learn from the veteran wide receivers in the room and have that room as a whole where there’s just so many guys in there that are hungry to go out there and make a play. Any given down, someone can go out there and shine. I think that’s the way we approach the game.”

Odunze comes into the Bears, at best, as the third option on the team’s offense. Before drafting Odunze, the Bears acquired DJ Moore via trade for the 2023 No. 1 pick and Keenan Allen last March for a fourth-round pick. Not to mention, they also have Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett and D’Andre Swift highlighting a strong backfield.

The Bears have a lot of options for their offense, which is great for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams in games. But it’s also invaluable for Odunze to sit behind and learn from the elite veterans the Bears have, too.

“I think I just try and take in every route that they run and what they see on different coverages,” Odunze said of Allen and Moore. “They’re probably annoyed with me with all the things that I ask them about. I try to gain as much information as I can that’s possible. Sometimes I look back and I’m like ‘Man, I’m not even gonna ask a question about that.’ Whatever he did right there, that’s something special for him.

“And that’s one thing you garner, too, sometimes I watch Keenan and sometimes I watch DJ and they do things I’m like “OK, I don’t know if that’s in my playbook.’ I’m gonna have to figure out a different way to get the route done because they’re special…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/rookie-rome-odunze-learning-keenan-225731783.html

Author : NBC Sports Chicago

Publish date : 2024-08-06 22:57:31

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