One Name Is Massive Favorite Among Experts To Be Chicago Bears' #9 Pick

Everybody knows the Chicago Bears are taking Caleb Williams with the #1 pick next Thursday. He is the only quarterback they had a private visit with. They are the only team he's met with. The decision is clearly made. The only thing left to do is turn in the card. Any real intrigue has shifted to the #9 pick, where GM Ryan Poles has a myriad of different possibilities in front of him. He could stay put and take the best player on his board. He could trade up for somebody he feels has superstar potential. Marvin Harrison Jr. is the popular name on that front. Or he could trade back from #9, secure more draft capital, and grab a lineman later on.

Plenty of people find it hard to believe Poles would willingly go through this draft with only four picks. That is why a trade feels the most likely. On the other hand, all signs point to some excellent football players still being available at #9. Would the Bears really be willing to pass one of them up for a few extra picks? Most draft experts don't think so. In fact, if you listen to the vast majority of experts, there is an overwhelming favorite to hear his name called by Chicago once they go on the clock.

Just look at all the mock draft predictions.

Max Chadwick, Pro Football Focus
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze

Josh Edwards, CBS Sports
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze

Eric Galko, CBS Sports
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze

Mel Kiper, ESPN
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze

Rhett Lewis, NFL.com
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze

Steve Palazzolo, Pro Football Focus
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze

Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze

Field Yates, ESPN
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze

Odunze feels like such a natural fit for the Chicago Bears.

He's a bigger body player who understands how to use his size to his advantage, boxing out defenders in 50/50 situations. Don't let that fool you. He's faster than he looks and is a competent route runner, able to create separation in various ways. Yet somehow, it's his mental makeup that is even better. Odunze is a notoriously hard worker and is said to be an outstanding teammate. Combine this with Devin Hester being his favorite player growing up, and it's easy to see why coming to Chicago feels like fate for him.

There is even a logical side to it. Keenan Allen turns 32 years old this season. He's also a free agent in 2025. If the Chicago Bears aren't certain what the future holds with him, drafting some insurance like Odunze makes perfect sense. If Allen leaves, they'd have him and D.J. Moore to move forward with. The lingering question for many is whether Odunze gets to #9. Harrison and Malik Nabers are expected to be gone within the first six picks. That means it comes down to whether Tennessee at #7 or Atlanta at #8 decide to take him. Maybe another team could trade up in front of the Bears as well.

If this scenario plays out as many expect, it's hard to be mad about it.