Who Should I Start? Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Rome Odunze

Thursday, March 19, 8:55 PM

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze will be tasked with handling more volume in 2026 after the team traded away DJ Moore this offseason. Odunze got off to an incredibly hot start last year, ranking as the overall WR3 through the first four weeks. However, the Bears then had their bye week, and he averaged just three catches per game the rest of the way. Things got worse for the former first-round pick as he suffered a stress fracture in his foot prior to Week 14 and missed the final five regular-season contests. He was one of the few skill players who didn't make a major leap under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, finishing the year with a modest 44 catches, 661 yards, and six touchdowns. He was the WR41 overall, finishing outside the top 40 fantasy receivers for the second year in a row. While Odunze's 2025 season was forgettable, fantasy managers should feel optimistic about his future outlook. First of all, he's healthy; it's always a good sign for players to get a clean bill of health entering the offseason. Furthermore, he's expected to fetch even more volume as the Bears look to replace Moore and his 85 vacated targets. Some of that volume will go to rookie breakouts Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland, but a significant amount should head Odunze's way, too. The 23-year-old should be drafted as a top-36 fantasy receiver in 2026 redraft leagues. In dynasty formats, he has quickly become an intriguing buy-low candidate given his subpar results in 2025 and the likelihood that he'll bounce back in 2026.