The Cincinnati Bengals hold the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, and while many mock drafts have Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell as the popular pick to protect QB Joe Burrow’s blindside, there’s a chance the Bengals could instead decide to reunite their franchise quarterback with his favorite LSU wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase.
Burrow met with reporters Tuesday and talked about the possibility of throwing passes to Chase again, a scenario he said he wouldn’t mind coming to fruition.
“Ja’Marr is a really good player,” Burrow said. “It’s pretty easy to throw it to him when he has five yards of separation every snap. He’s an exciting player and a great guy and a friend as well. He was fun to play with.”
Joe Burrow News Conference https://t.co/uqK7mX3CSP
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 12, 2021
Chase opted out of the 2020 season because of COVID-19, so he’s lost ground to Heisman Trophy winner Devonta Smith in the wide receiver rankings. But once draft season really ramps up, Chase has a shot to regain the WR1 title.
Burrow and Chase were a truly remarkable duo in 2019. They connected on 84 passes for 1,780 yards and an SEC record 20 touchdowns. They were an unstoppable combination and it would be really, really fun to see them hook up again in the NFL.
Our wide receiver rankings aren’t settled yet but Chase (6-0, 208) has a similarly dynamic skill set as Smith but has a physical make-up that’s better prepared for the NFL pounding. The draft process — pro day, specifically — will be a much bigger factor in the final wide receiver rankings than in years past because of how close the position group is right now.
