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Two wide receivers drafted as their team's top option have yet to deliver a breakout fantasy performance this season: Rome Odunze of the Chicago Bears and Carnell Tate of the Tennessee Titans. As Week 4 approaches, fantasy managers are left wondering which of these struggling WR1s is more likely to finally produce.
Odunze's situation in Chicago has been compounded by the play of quarterback Case Keenum, who started in Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite Keenum throwing for 247 yards, Odunze managed just three catches on six targets for 44 yards, finishing as the WR58 in PPR leagues. Meanwhile, fellow Bears receiver Luther Burden III exploded for seven receptions, 61 yards, and a touchdown on 11 targets, ranking as the WR13. Odunze's Week 4 matchup against the New York Jets doesn't offer much hope for a turnaround: the Jets have allowed the third-fewest passing yards per game (171.0) and have yet to let a single opposing receiver exceed 70 yards in a game. They famously limited Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown to just 19 receiving yards, his lowest output since Week 13 of the 2025 season when he exited early with an injury.
On the other side, Carnell Tate is coming off the best game of his rookie campaign. In Week 3 against the New York Giants, he hauled in six passes on nine targets for 58 yards. That performance could be a springboard into Week 4, where he faces a Baltimore Ravens defense that ranks 17th in passing yards allowed per game (216.3). Over their last two contests, the Ravens have been torched by opposing WR1s: Chris Olave of the Saints posted eight catches for 86 yards and a score in Week 2, and CeeDee Lamb of the Cowboys went for seven receptions and 112 yards in Week 3. With the Titans likely to be heavy underdogs, they may need to throw often, giving Tate even more opportunities to shine.
Key Analysis
John Glennon, a writer for Titans On SI, shared on X that Tate received a 67 in ESPN's receiver scores for getting open, which ranks tied for ninth-best among NFL wide receivers, just behind names like Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Drake London. This metric underscores Tate's ability to separate and suggests his arrow is pointing up. Conversely, Odunze has been performing at a WR3 level for Chicago and faces a daunting matchup. Until Odunze shows signs of life, fantasy managers should keep him on the bench and start Tate in Week 4.
Originally reported by yahoo.