Ja’Marr Chase had never been to Ohio before being invited to the 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland. Once he arrived he had a clue the Buckeye State would be his new residence.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow sent Chase a text on Thursday morning that read “get your bags packed.” Thursday evening at the NFL draft in Cleveland, Chase got a call from Bengals coach Zac Taylor to formally make him a member of the squad.
The Bengals selected Chase with the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Chase becomes the ninth wide receiver drafted by the Bengals in franchise history.
The LSU product was the first receiver taken off the board in this year’s draft.
How does WR Ja'Marr Chase fit in the Bengals offense:
The confident wide receiver proclaimed during his introductory press conference that his goal is to be the 2021 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and tally 1,500 receiving yards. He wasn’t done there. He also hopes to rewrite the Bengals record books.
"I'm going to break every receiving record they got at the Bengals. I'm telling you right now," Chase said. "I'm gonna break every record they have. I don't know how I'm gonna do it, but it's gonna get done."
Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan envisions Chase as the team’s X-receiver. The same position A.J. Green occupied for a decade. He’s already slated to be one of the Bengals three starting wide receivers.
Taylor and Bengals operate out of 11-personnel more than any team in the NFL. In that personnel package, Chase and Tee Higgins are penciled in as outside receivers and Tyler Boyd is in the slot.
Chase has the ability to take the top off of the defense and add some explosion to a Cincinnati offense that averaged just 6.5 yards per pass attempt last year.
The 6-foot-1 wideout attacks the football, has strong hands, he’s a powerful route runner and knows how to gain yards after the catch. Plus, he and Burrow already have an established rapport. The two were explosive together at LSU during their 2019 national championship season. The receiver set SEC records for touchdowns in a season (20) and receiving yards in a season (1,780) in the 2019 on the way to a national title. His impressive performance won him the Biletnikoff Award and he was a unanimous All-America as a sophomore in 2019.
Taylor and the Bengals have incorporated some of LSU's plays from the 2019 season in their offense. The team could add even more to their playbook with the addition of Chase.
Weaknesses:
At the NFL level, Chase does need to fine tune his route running and his release. He does sometimes rely too much on his athletic ability.
Grade: A
The Bengals neglected to address their biggest need in the first round, the offensive line, but drafted a playmaker at wide receiver. Chase, Higgins and Boyd give the Bengals an explosive wide receiving corps.
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