The NFL draft can be a nerve-racking experience for a general manager. This is because the vast majority of it is out of your control. Players you may have an eye on can so easily end up on another roster despite your best efforts to get them. Ryan Poles knows this well. He’s seen it happen plenty of times to his team over the years since becoming a scout and personnel man. Going into the 2024 draft, the Chicago Bears GM knew he would get his quarterback at #1 overall. The difficult part was waiting to see what happened with his #9 pick. Poles had worked out multiple scenarios depending on what happened after #1, but he was sure of one thing.
The Bears really wanted Rome Odunze.
It was felt that the Washington wide receiver had all the attributes they looked for in a great player: size, speed, route-running skill, and an insatiable work ethic. Getting him would enhance their passing attack to a level Bears fans hadn’t seen in at least a decade. Unfortunately, it was a long wait between #1 and #9. There was a very real possibility Odunze could be gone before Poles had a chance to get him. One team in particular made him the most nervous. He revealed who it was on Waddle & Silvy for ESPN 1000.
The Giants taking Malik Nabers was interesting. They already had a receiver on their roster, Jalin Hyatt, who fit that speedy field-stretching role. Some argued it would’ve made more sense to pair him with a strong, big-bodied target like Odunze. New York opted for the more explosive option. Once that happened, Poles knew his odds of landing Odunze drastically increased. Everybody knew the Tennessee Titans were almost certain to add offensive line help. They’d already gotten their receiver by signing Calvin Ridley in free agency. As for Atlanta, most people assumed they would go defense. Of course, they shocked the entire league by taking Odunze’s quarterback at Washington, Michael Penix Jr.
Patience had paid off. Ryan Poles got his guy. Odunze would join D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen to forge arguably the most formidable wide receiver trio in Bears history. He already has a budding friendship with Caleb Williams. Former Pro Bowl wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh insists the kid is destined to be a star. The fact Poles took him the 1st round despite coming from a front office that avoided doing so for years, tells you everything you need to know.
