Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower called Odunze “a four-down player” while noting that he brought back one of his three returns for the Huskies for a touchdown during the 2023 campaign. The 6-foot-3 wideout was selected with the ninth pick of the 2024 draft, and while he’ll likely open the year a clear third in the pecking order of targets behind DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, Chicago is going to find ways to get the ball into Odunze’s hands.

Odunze was sidelined with a hamstring injury during the first round of OTAs but was seen on video catching a deep pass from Caleb Williams in what appeared to be 7-on-7 drills. Odunze will be battling for targets in a wide receiver room that features veterans Keenan Allen and DJ Moore but could contribute immediately as a deep threat — something he specialized in during his days at Washington. As far as fantasy is concerned, Odunze’s rookie ceiling could be capped by the presence of Allen and Moore, but he should be good for a few splash weeks, making him an enticing pick in best ball drafts.

Odunze was seen working individually alongside Chicago’s OTA sessions this week, managing his ongoing hamstring tightness. Eberflus told reporters that the the plan is for Odunze to “ramp back in there next week during the OTAs”, indicating a gradual return to full participation is expected.

We obviously aren’t concerned about “tightness” in May, but it is something to file away in case the issue lingers into mandatory minicamp in June. Early-offseason soft-tissue issues have an alarming propensity to stick around for young players. Hopefully this is the last we hear of it.