Rome Odunze, Bears
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Wide receiver Rome Odunze of the Chicago Bears.
The Chicago Bears drafted Rome Odunze in the first round in 2024 and one of the wide receiver’s teammates from his college days at Washington is advocating for a new partnership on the professional level.
Denzel Boston, a first-round prospect in next month’s NFL draft and a wideout at Washington for the last four years, spoke with Nicholas Moreano at the combine on Saturday about his relationship with Odunze and the possibility of joining the Bears’ roster this April.
“Rome, that’s my guy,” Boston said. “He’s the one that taught me patience. He’s the one that taught me fortitude with the game and understanding what you put into the game is what you’re gonna get out of the game.”
Boston reminisced briefly on lessons Odunze taught him in college that ultimately helped Boston foster success and become a first-round talent two years after Odunze went No. 9 overall to the Bears.
“It would be everything,” Boston said of teaming up with Odunze in Chicago. “I love Rome, and being with Rome would honestly just give me a sense of having a big brother on my team again. … And then get to play with Caleb Williams as well, another electric QB I got to watch play from the sidelines when I was younger, would just be a fantastic time.”
Bears Should Have Opportunity to Draft Denzel Boston in First Round
The Browns could be interested in drafting Denzel Boston #12 of the Washington Huskies reacts after a catch against the Illinois Fighting Illini
GettyWide receiver Denzel Boston of the Washington Huskies.
Chicago is picking at No. 25 on the opening night of the draft, which is in the range that Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN expects Boston to come off the board as the fourth receiver selected in Round 1.
“Boston’s hands, catch radius and vision would quickly make him a go-to option for quarterback Josh Allen,” Kiper wrote on February 24 when projecting Boston to land with the Buffalo Bills at pick No. 26. “He finished with 881 yards and 11 scores last season, bullying opposing cornerbacks along the way. Buffalo’s receiver room has a lot of questions and lacks a true WR1, all due respect to Khalil Shakir. … So, this one seems obvious.”
If Kiper’s prediction is accurate, Chicago will have right of first refusal on Boston.
Bears Unlikely to Draft Wide Receiver, as DJ Moore Team’s Top Offseason Trade Candidate
DJ Moore, Chicago Bears
GettyWide receiver DJ Moore of the Chicago Bears.
Unfortunately for the Washington wideout, the Bears selected tight end Colston Loveland at No. 10 and slot receiver Luther Burden III at No. 39 last year, using their top two picks on pass-catchers.
With Odunze already on the roster, veteran WR DJ Moore, still arguably the team’s most talented option for Williams, is on the trade block due to his positional redundancy combined with onerous cost.
Moore’s $28.5 million salary cap hit renders him the most expensive player on Chicago’s roster in 2026, while his talent and age render him a viable trade candidate with the potential to return a Day 2 draft asset to Chicago.
The Bears need immediate help at the edge-rusher position, though the way the draft board appears most likely to shake out will probably position Chicago to select a high-end defensive tackle at No. 25.
It is highly unlikely that the Bears will look for a receiver in the second round, and just about as unlikely that Boston will last long enough for Chicago to even consider him with the 57th overall pick in Round 2.