Who Should I Start? Chris Olave or Rome Odunze

Wednesday, April 23, 1:54 PM

ESPN's Katherine Terrell reports that the New Orleans Saints are picking up wide receiver Chris Olave's fifth-year option on Wednesday. Despite playing in a career-low eight games in 2024 in his third year in the NFL due to multiple concussions, the Saints picking up the former first-rounder's fifth-year option was a no-brainer. The 24-year-old Ohio State alumni is scheduled to make $16.8 million guaranteed on his fifth-year option in 2026. Olave cleared 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first two NFL seasons on 159 total receptions and nine touchdowns, so he has proven he has the chops to operate as a WR1 for fantasy managers when he's healthy. However, his head injuries from last year could scare many fantasy managers off this fall, as well as New Orleans' quarterback situation with Derek Carr possibly needing shoulder surgery.

Friday, April 18, 4:30 PM

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze didn't have the ideal rookie season. The Bears used the 9th overall pick from last year's draft on Odunze, which came with high expectations. The 22-year-old finished with 54 receptions, 734 receiving yards, and three touchdowns in 17 games (12 starts) with Chicago. It sounds like the Bears believe Odunze can take a big step forward in his second season. Bears assistant head coach Antwaan Randle El is a big believer in Odunze. He recently said he wants to get Odunze the ball in a bunch of different ways. New head coach Ben Johnson is going to bring in a new scheme that should hopefully open up Odunze to do more work than just catching screens. It sounds like the Bears have big plans for Odunze, so dynasty managers should dump him yet.