The rookie receiver continues to impress, setting an NFL record for receiving yardage through the first seven games of an NFL career. Is he a product of his system, or...is he just that good?
Ja'Marr Chase played college at LSU, where he won the Biletnikoff Award (given to nation's best collegiate receiver) and a national championship with Joe Burrow. Chase sat out 2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic and a desire to "focus on preparing for my NFL career". Some speculated that could hurt his draft position, especially after Alabama wideout Devonte Smith won the Heisman Trophy. Chase ultimately made the right decision and was taken 6th overall by Cincinnati in the 2021 draft, rejoining his college QB and the exact situation he was hoping for.
Cincinnati drafted Burrow the year before with the first overall pick, and the rookie did impress until a nasty knee injury took him out for the year. Before exiting week 10, he established a solid connection with fellow rookie Tee Higgins out of Clemson, and veteran Tyler Boyd in addition to success with running back Joe Mixon. After the Bengals selected Chase earlier this year, that left us to wonder how the new addition would fit into a crowded offense.
So far...he has fit quite well. Teammate Tee Higgins dealt with an injury from camp that caused him to miss time, which forced Chase into action earlier than expected. His NFL debut against the Minnesota Vikings was highlighted by a 50-yard catch and hitting 101 yards on five receptions and a touchdown. The Bengals offense has been firing on all cylinders, and their only two losses came by a field goal. This offensive production is largely a result of the mismatch Chase presents defenses, and when you see guys like tight end CJ Uzomah pulling down 2 touchdowns in a game, it's not luck anymore. It is a product of too much firepower to cover, and Chase is the dominant presence that has opened up the field for the other Cincy targets.
Through seven games, Chase has 35 receptions for 754 yards and 6 touchdowns, capped with a week 7 performance against Baltimore where he topped 200 yards on 8 catches. Late in the third, Burrow targeted Chase on a slant route that resulted in an 82-yard touchdown where he bested Pro-Bowl CB Marlon Humphrey and a host of other Baltimore defenders. 754 yards blows the previous record of reception yards through first seven games out of the water, with Anquan Boldin's 621 and OBJ's 609 paling in comparison.
These numbers are attractive, with Chase trailing only Cooper Kupp in yardage and third in touchdown catches behind Kupp, DeAndre Hopkins, and Mike Evans. He also trails only Kupp in receptions over 20 yards, and his 21.5 YPC average and 6 plays of 40+ yards leads the league.
If Chase were to continue this level of production, he would finish a 17 game rookie season with 85 receptions, 1825 yards and 15 touchdowns. That would eclipse Randy Moss's 1998 rookie campaign, where he took 69 catches for 1313 yards, even if you take out the extra game the 2021 season features. Moss scored 17 touchdowns, and Chase would need some ridiculous outings to match or exceed that near-unbeatable rookie record. With the way his season is going however, it's not out of the realm of possibility that Chase takes home Rookie of the Year honors in addition to sweeping Randy's records as well.
The next part of the equation is sustainability. Chase isn't the biggest wideout, but he is a more durable target than the new Henry Ruggs/Jaylen Waddle attempts at cloning Tyreek Hill. A lot of his success is directly related to Burrow's trust with the young receiver, and as Sports Leaf contributor John Morris pointed out, already knowing a receivers' cut timing due to endless collegiate reps eliminates much of the growth process. That's why Chase looks like a seasoned vet out there. It's a combination of his innate ability to break coverage, and the opportunities given to him by Burrow.
The final part for me is, situation. Sure Chase is talented, but is he a just product of his situation more than a Moss-esque, future HOF in the making? The long answer to that is complicated, but the short one is easy: No.
Ja'Marr Chase not only proved his pedigree in college at a top university, winning a national championship and the best college wideout award as well, but most importantly he passes the eye test at the NFL level. He isn't Desean Jackson streaking down the field and compiling yards on broken plays or sheer speed. Chase is out-muscling guys, taking slants 82 yards against one of the best corners in the game, and clearing the field for his teammates to enjoy in the production too.
If you put fellow rookies Rondale Moore, Rashod Bateman, or Devonte Smith on the Bengals, are they are having success? Yes, but probably as the ancillary player, while Tee Higgins would be the number one. Higgins was putting up overall WR1 numbers with Burrow last year, and despite his early season injury woes in 2021, he would still be the primary target if Chase hadn't displayed dominance to this point. This was a cloudy room before the season started, with no one knowing how it would all shake out, but through undeniable command of the field he is the clear WR1 on an explosive Cincinnati offense.
In summary, if this young man stays healthy we can expect not only great things, but truly epic things. Burrow and the Bengals aren't going anywhere, and the team is so young, look for Chase to be a big part of the storyline as they compete for the chance to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl this year, and for years to come.
Comentarios