Chicago Bears Wide Receiver Trio’s Versatility Make Them A True Coverage Nightmare
The praise has been pouring in for the Chicago Bears and their accomplishments during the 2024 NFL Draft, as many NFL analysts have been raving out the prospects they took. Fans and the media have been extremely pleased with the selection of USC quarterback Caleb Williams and Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze, as Chicago’s offense is viewed as one of the most potent units heading into the 2024 season. Analysts believe the Bears’ receiver group, which features DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Odunze, can be the best in the league given how well each pass-catcher compliments one another’s versatility.
Versality To Play Inside And Out Is What Makes The Bears’ Trio Of Wide Receivers A Coverage Nightmare
General manager Ryan Poles has done a terrific job rebuilding Chicago’s offense over two years. Barring injury, the Bears’ offense will feature two consistent 1,000-yard pass-catchers in Moore and Allen, along with one of the best wide receiver talents available in this year’s draft in Odunze. Williams has potentially the most offensive weapons a first-round quarterback has ever had, as he will have three players at the receiver position who could be a top target with a majority of NFL teams.
What makes the trio of Odunze, Allen, and Moore dangerous and explosive is their well-rounded capabilities at the position. The two veteran wide receivers have proven to be consistent threats, whether lined up on the outside or in the slot position. Last year, Moore and Allen each recorded five 100-yard receiving games and one game of 200 receiving yards or more.
Last season, Moore caught 96 passes for 1,364 yards and eight touchdown catches despite playing with two quarterbacks in Justin Fields and Tyson Bagent. More impressive was that Chicago’s best wide receiver had his two best games playing in different roles, lining up outside for one game and in the slot for the other. Against the Washington Commanders, Moore caught eight receptions for 230 yards lined up outside while collecting nine passes for 159 yards in the slot against the Atlanta Falcons.
Allen’s career is defined by his versatility and near perfection at the position, as he is viewed as the best route-running wide receiver in the league. The six-time Pro Bowl pass-catcher has racked up five seasons of 100 receptions or more and six seasons of 1,000 receiving yards or more. Allen, despite his diminishing speed, still gains separation due to his superb route-running ability and knowledge of opposing defensive coverages.
With Allen and Moore’s capability to be effective both inside and outside, Odunze’s unique talents make him the ideal talent to be paired with the talented veteran receivers. The Washington pass-catcher has an elite mix of speed and size that allows him to beat defenders deep while being able to win 50/50 opportunities due to his large frame. Odunze could be a significant weapon in red zone opportunities due to his ability to fight defenders for the football in tight situations.
Chicago’s Offensive Scheme Is The Perfect Fit To Capitalize On The Trio’s Capabilities
With the Bears’ offense featuring such talents as Williams, Odunze, Allen, and Moore, along with D’Andre Swift, Cole Kmet, and Gerald Everett, it is hard to find a glaring weakness at the skill positions. To complement the high level of proven players on the offensive side of the ball, Poles hired former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, whose scheme may be perfect for this unit. Waldron’s best two attributes as a play-caller are his ability to get immense production from his quarterback and include all his offensive weapons in the passing attack.
Waldron’s signature feat during his time with the Seahawks was his work with veteran quarterback Geno Smith, who was written off as a first-round bust. Following All-Pro signal-caller Russell Wilson being traded to Denver, Smith took over as Seattle’s starter and passed for over 4,000 yards, 30 touchdowns, and a quarterback rating over 100. The former first-round quarterback has been named to the Pro Bowl the last two seasons as the Seahawks’ starter.
One of the main reasons for Smith’s success in Waldron’s offense is because of the scheme’s goal of involving every pass-catcher in the passing attack. Last season, the Seahawks featured two 1,000-yard receivers in Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf, paired with a first-round pass-catcher in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, leading to each one recording 60 receptions or more. Poles’ goal with the hire of Waldron is to give Williams the same guidance provided to Smith and the same amount of open passing targets Seattle had, and likely even more.
The trio of Allen, Moore, and Odunze is already in contention to be the best receivers group in the league, with only injuries and rookie development by Williams being the only threats. Poles has not only done an amazing job of constructing an elite pass-catching group, but also in compiling a group of players that highlight one another’s best attributes. If Chicago’s offense adapts quickly to Waldron’s new offense, it has the pieces to be the best offensive unit in franchise history in 2024.