Former LSU star wide receiver [autotag]Ja’Marr Chase[/autotag] was reunited with his former college quarterback [autotag]Joe Burrow[/autotag] when the [autotag]Cincinnati Bengals[/autotag] selected Chase with the fifth overall draft pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The connection between Burrow and Chase is something truly special, and LSU fans know it all too well.
What should Bengals fans expect from the duo in 2021? Many believe Chase could have an impressive rookie season with Burrow behind center.
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Despite opting out of the 2020 season, it was no surprise to see Ja’Marr Chase as the first wide receiver off the board in the 2021 NFL Draft. What did surprise some (myself included), is him landing in Cincinnati when the Bengals had other glaring needs. But while some may be disappointed with the Bengals’ selection of Chase from strictly a football standard, fantasy managers should be ecstatic.
Chase is now reunited with his former college QB, Joe Burrow. So, we can already skip the whole chemistry aspect between the two. In his final season at LSU, Chase totaled 84 receptions, 1,780 receiving yards, and 20 touchdowns. Chase and Burrow were in sync throughout the season and ended it the best way possible — with a national championship.
Winning is less likely to occur for the duo in 2021, but this offense will be fun to watch. Tee Higgins projects to be the Bengals’ WR1 to begin the season, but it would not be a surprise to see Chase take that role sooner than later. Chase’s current overall ADP of 53.3 is a reflection of this, as he’s going a full 20 spots ahead of Higgins in fantasy drafts.
While it may seem high to select a rookie wide receiver in the fifth round, this might feel like a bargain come halfway through the season. That’s why Chase is one of the top candidates to be a fantasy football breakout WR in 2021.
All rookies need time to adjust to the NFL game, including wide receivers.
But will the established connection between Burrow and Chase give Chase an advantage in that area? Maybe.
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The first few games will be important, but as the season goes on I expect Burrow and Chase to reignite the magic we witnessed throughout the [autotag]2019 LSU Tigers[/autotag] Championship season.
You won’t find many rookie wide receivers with the upside that [autotag]Ja’Marr Chase[/autotag] provides, and I, for one, will be aiming to draft Chase in as many fantasy football leagues as I commit to.
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