The Cincinnati Bengals felt very good about their future following last year's NFL Draft after taking LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. Unfortunately, they saw Burrow go down with a season-ending gruesome knee injury in his rookie year. Now heading into their QB's second year, they are still confident in their young quarterback even following the injury and are adding more talent around him.
Not only did the Bengals add more talent around Burrow by drafting a wide receiver with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, they drafted a former teammates of his. Cincinnati decided to go with LSU wideout Ja'Marr Chase with their first-round selection.
Three (3) Bengals Rookie Predictions for Ja'Marr Chase
Chase is coming off of a 2020 season that saw him sit out the year due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Back in 2019 with Burrow, however, he put up massive numbers. He ended up catching 84 passes for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns in that season.
During the offseason, the Bengals saw longtime star receiver A.J. Green leave town in free agency to sign with the Arizona Cardinals. That left them with Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins as their top targets. Chase will join them and form a young and dynamic three-headed monster at the position for Burrow.
All of that being said, let's take a look at three early predictions for Ja'Marr Chase with the Bengals in his rookie season.
3. He Takes Over As An Instant Starter
Granted, the Bengals love what they have in second-year wide receiver Tee Higgins. He has big-time potential and he will have a major role in 2021. But, he's likely going to be replaced as a starter by Chase.
Chase and Boyd are going to be the top two wide receivers on the depth chart entering the season. He brings massive playmaking potential and already formed chemistry with Burrow. Those two things alone will power him to a starting role in Week 1.
The Bengals have to feel very good about their selection at No. 5 overall. Adding more firepower to their offense will help them compete this season. Chase has superstar potential and Cincinnati will be very happy that they decided to take him.
2. Chase Racks Up 1,000 Yards, At Least Eight Touchdowns
As a rookie, Ja'Marr Chase is going to live up to all of the hype and expectations. The Bengals not only got themselves a good player, they got themselves a future superstar. Chase is going to start his NFL career off with a bang.
We are predicting that Chase will rack up 1,000 receiving yards in his rookie year. He is also going to catch at least eight touchdown passes.
Those numbers are going to make any critics of the pick shut up quickly. Chase may not play a major position of need for the Bengals, but the pick makes perfect sense. It will make Joe Burrow happy and will help take the offense to the next level.
1. A Top-Three Finish In Offensive Rookie of the Year Race
Finally, the Bengals are getting themselves a guy who could end up winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. It will be tough for him to actually win the award due to names like Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson also being drafted, but he will finish top-three in the race for the prestigious award.
Ja'Marr Chase has the “It” factor about him and the Bengals need more of that. He has the potential to break off a huge touchdown anytime he touches the football. The numbers we predicted above for him could end up being below what he actually produces.
Cincinnati is going to be a fun team to watch moving forward. They may not be a Super Bowl contender in the next couple of years, but they are heading down a path to compete for a spot in the playoffs.
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