The Chicago Bears‘ offense has struggled to open the 2024 season. Their first overall pick, Caleb Williams, has not shown his true potential even with an abundance of wide receivers in Chicago with him. Two players, DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, have been trying to help but have yet to break out themselves.
Can either Moore or Odunze break out in Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts defense? Let’s break down the Chicago Bears passing attack and see which wide receiver is the correct play for your fantasy football team this week.
Should You Start DJ Moore or Rome Odunze in Week 3?
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, PFN’s Consensus Rankings say that Moore is the player to start in Week 3. Moore’s 12.8 fantasy points consist of 60.3 projected yards from 4.5 receptions. Odunze is only projected for three receptions and 44 receiving yards.
My rankings agree with the PFN Start/Sit Optimization tool, as we believe Moore will show his true alpha wide receiver role within the Bears’ offensive scheme. The Bears face a Colts defense that has allowed the eighth-most receptions to wide receivers in 2024.
As a unit, the Colts are third for third-worst in touchdowns relinquished to wide receivers. The Colts allow the fifth-highest fantasy points per game to the position. The Colts’ weakness should enable us to target the Bears’ offense to elevate our fantasy team in Week 3.
Moore’s Week 3 Fantasy Outlook
TruMedia ranks Moore 12th in routes run by a wide receiver this year (77), the most on the Bears’ offense. Moore has been targeted like an alpha wide receiver, as he has received 18 targets, the eighth-highest total in the NFL. Although he has recorded the 11th most receptions (11), his yardage has fallen short of dominant this season. Moore has only recorded 89 receiving yards, the 45th-best in the NFL.
Moore has nothing special happening in his yards per reception totals or air yards per target, but he is in the top 24 in first-down conversions with five total. When Williams is given enough time, his safety valve is that of a veteran wide receiver.
Odunze’s Week 3 Fantasy Outlook
Odunze was the ninth overall pick and instantly earned the title of Williams’ running partner throughout his career. Unfortunately, the duo has not hit the ground running, which has led to Odunze’s father even calling out the issues between them.
Rome Odunze’s father, James Odunze has been posting clips of Odunze being wide open and Caleb Williams not throwing him the ball.
The Odunze family is NOT happy with how Williams has been quarterbacking the offense so far 😳 pic.twitter.com/rjW0obYiYy
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) September 19, 2024
Odunze has been a down-the-field threat when he is targeted. His 14.7 yards per reception is the 14th-highest in the NFL this season. Odunze has only hauled 33% of his targets, which is 77th in the NFL.
If Odunze and Williams struggle with their chemistry, the rookie will continue to underperform in fantasy football, the wide receiver should be a Flex play for your lineups in Week 3. However, with all the injury issues around the league, Odunze can also land in a WR2 role on Sunday for your fantasy team.