Chicago Bears second-year standout Rome Odunze is quietly assembling one of the most impressive starts to an NFL season by any wide receiver in 2025.
While fantasy managers remain hesitant to trust him week-to-week, the first-round pick from Washington is rewriting expectations with historic early-season production that puts him in elite company and is positioning him as one of the biggest fantasy breakouts.
Is Rome Odunze the Most Undervalued Receiver in Fantasy Football?
PFSN’s Fantasy Football Start/Sit Optimizer data shows a revealing gap between Odunze’s on-field impact and fantasy perceptions. Despite consistently delivering, he was doubted by a high percentage of managers in both of the first two weeks, an indication of lingering uncertainty about his ceiling.
The numbers, however, do not reflect hesitation. Odunze stands alone as the only player this season to record six catches and a touchdown reception in each of the first two weeks. The last player to achieve this feat was Chris Godwin, who did so to open last season.
Inside the Bears’ offense, Odunze’s dominance is even more obvious. Through two games, he has all three of Chicago’s touchdown receptions, making him quarterback Caleb Williams’s go-to red zone target. Odunze also leads the team in receiving yards, by a full 51 yards, over the next closest wideout.
.@RomeOdunze makin’ it look easy 😮💨
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/S0IeKmW6M3
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 14, 2025
Perhaps the most remarkable indicator of his importance: he has more catches than any other Bears player even has targets. This not only shows reliability but also the level of trust Williams already has in Odunze. His combination of size (6’3”), athleticism, and immediate connection with Williams is translating to real, week-to-week relevance.
The Bears’ offensive staff is scheming ways to get Odunze involved in high-impact situations, leveraging his route running and contested-catch ability. Three touchdowns through two games already puts him on a pace far beyond what many established receivers managed last season.
Chicago’s investment in Odunze, ninth overall in the 2024 draft, appears justified, as he is contributing immediately rather than being slowly worked into the offensive plan. Fantasy managers who picked him late are already seeing a major return on their investment.
If Odunze keeps this pace, he could easily finish among the top 20 fantasy receivers, a value far greater than his draft position suggested.
The PFSN Start/Sit data will continue tracking whether fantasy perception catches up to reality, but for now, smart managers should recognize a rare opportunity: a second-year receiver producing elite numbers at a bargain price.
