The Chicago Bears are a team that could be trending in the right direction and adding Keenan Alen to D.J. Moore gives them two elite wide receivers in 2024. They were both interesting fantasy prospects heading into the NFL draft, and the Bears took QB Caleb Williams, which was a plus, but then took WR Rome Odunze too.
Having a rookie QB is a concern, as these receivers’ fantasy seasons will be intrinsically linked to how well Williams transitions into the league, which is a matter of some debate. Adding a potential superstar WR like Odunze to a talented receiver room is good for Chicago, but bad for fantasy, as this means a lower target share.
Given his stats and the tape, Caleb Williams looks like he should be okay, barring a few wobbles and teething problems. The questions surrounding the offensive line and the coaching in Chicago remain prevalent, but it feels the Bears might be much-improved in 2024.
Keenan Allen, D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze are tricky to call and realistically it would be advisable not to take the risk on them unless they fall into your lap and present good value. Moore feels like a better pick in fantasy than Allen or Odunze.
Allen has more of an injury history (missed 11 games in the last 2 years) and will be 32 when the season starts. Odunze’s immediate role in the offense is unclear, and he could have a similar fantasy campaign to Jaxon Smith-Njigba at Seattle last season.
The Bears’ offense has far too many questions that need answering to risk taking Moore in the first few rounds, and arguably he should be targeted in the third round or lower. Yes, he set the league on fire for a few weeks in 2023, but there were some bad weeks as well, and the Bears are going to have a rookie under center and a better receiver room.
As for Allen, he might fall further, due to the above, and because Moore will likely have the WR1 role in Chicago. Allen is likely to see fewer looks in Chicago than in LA, and volume is a key component in his fantasy value. There are a lot of receivers who project to have better seasons (around 25) so hold your fire and consider him in the later rounds as someone with potentially high value.
Rome Odunze looks to be a boom-bust fantasy pick and while he has the talent, the receiver room and depth chart might count against him in 2024. Give him a year or two and Odunze will likely be a first two rounds player, but this season he should be taken in the later stages as a potential streamer/bench stash, in case Allen or Moore miss games.
Keenan Allen, D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze’s NFL fantasy outlooks: What numbers to expect from the Bears WRs?
In 2023, D.J. Moore went for 1,364 yards and 8 TDs over 17 games, and was the only Bears WR with a fantasy-relevant season. Can he do that again with Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze in the lineup and a rookie QB under center? Probably not. A 1,000-yard season and 7 TDs as the WR1 seems more likely, but a lot depends on the adjustment of whoever is under center.
Keenan Allen managed 1,243 yards and 7 TDs last season in 13 games in LA. If Allen had played all 17, he would have set career highs in both categories (1,393 yards in 2017, 8 TDs in 2013 & 2020). It seems likely Allen will see his numbers decline in 2024, and if he stays healthy and adjusts well, 900 yards and 5 TDs is a fair projection.
Rome Odunze is a wild card here, and it would be a risk to project anything above 600 yards and 4 TDs, because he is likely to be behind Moore and Allen on the depth chart and has a rookie QB under center. He could be an immediate breakout and challenge for ROTY honors, but those are high expectations given his circumstances in 2024.