Who Should I Start? Ja'Marr Chase or Rome Odunze

Sunday, March 16, 11:33 PM

The Cincinnati Bengals signed wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase to a four-year, $161 million deal with $112 million guaranteed on Sunday to make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, according to FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. The 25-year-old All-Pro wideout is now under contract with the Bengals for the next five years for $182.816 million. The former fifth overall pick in 2021 out of LSU was deserving of the record contract after leading the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), touchdowns (17) and yards per game (100.5) in 17 games (16 starts) for the Bengals in his fourth year in the league in 2024. Chase has now been a Pro Bowler in each of his four years in the NFL and has put up at least 1,046 yards and seven touchdowns every year. With Tee Higgins also coming back and with Joe Burrow throwing him the football, Chase will be the unquestioned top receiver in fantasy this fall.

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.