The Bengals are “targeting” wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Tyler Dragon of The Enquirer hears (Twitter link). With the No. 5 overall pick, the Bengals may be able to reunite the LSU star with his old quarterback, Joe Burrow.
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Cincinnati has invested a first- or second-round pick in the wide receiver position in three of the past five years. Still, they’re moving ahead without A.J. Green and John Ross, so Chase would be a welcome addition to the offense. Meanwhile, Burrow has reportedly stumped for a reunion with Chase, who went off for 84 catches, 1,780 yards, and 20 touchdowns last time they played together in 2019.
The Bengals figure to have lots of options available at No. 5 — particularly if the Falcons draft a quarterback at No. 4. In a worst-case scenario, only one of this year’s top non-QBs will be there for the taking. In a best-case scenario, Chase, Oregon tackle Penei Sewell, and Florida tight end Kyle Pitts will all be available. From the latest rumblings, it sounds like Chase would be their choice.
I think AJ Green was awesome. Cinny should retire his number. How many playoff games did he play in? Football will always be about the lines. WR’s, DB’s, RB’s LB’s all are successful because of the lines.
Can’t tell you which OL to draft. Everyone says the dude from Oregon is the pure #1 stud, draft him if you want Joe B to be successful, not a WR.
Agreed on all points, however it’s a rare opportunity to get a talented receiver who happens to have a chemistry with your young QB, making the period to learn each other almost non-existent. You also get the possibility of them staying with the team long term as long as they still connect with each other. May not want to break that bond.
I agree with everything you said but I personally think Chase is the number 1 player in the draft. 1. Chase 2. Pitts 3. Lawrence. Just the way I stack them. I think Chase is going to be a top 5 WR over the next decade. So while it’s true that you’re only as good as the line blocking, in this case I see reason to take the best player available. Plus I think some really good OLmen will still be available at the top of round 2. Better than the WRs at that point for sure.
Green played in four of the five playoff games the Bengals made during his career in Cincy, with offensive lines ranked 13th (down from 5th), 8th, 2nd, 7th and 8th, respectively, by PFF for 2011-2015, and defenses featuring Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap on the line and ranking 2nd-12th in points allowed.
The Bengals seem set at LT after 2019 1st rounder Jonah Williams enjoyed a solid injury-delayed rookie season last year. They do need a RTOTF, but have Riley Reiff installed for 2021. I’d draft Chase with the 5th overall pick and go OT with the 38th pick, and draft interior OL after that.
The draft is deep enough that they could go OL and WR or WR and OL. The problem is that Joe wants his WR from college & if Joe wants his guy, get Joe his guy. They can get a very good OL in the 2nd round. Chase is going to be the pick.
No wrong pick between Chase or Sewell. Pick Sewell and your line is set and you can move on to other needs. Pick Chase and you have weapons all over the field and get OL with 2nd and 3rd picks in a super deep OL draft
I get that the Sewell is the safer and wiser choice. If it wasn’t for Chase being the guy and will more than likely be there when they will choose him. If it wasn’t Joe’s former big play receiver, they go OL but because it’s Joe’s guy, keep Joe happy. As you say, no wrong pick but one pick makes your QB very happy so why not? It’s not like they will not go OL in the next round or address it in the draft. Sewell is going to make some team very happy.
I’d go for Sewell. Burrow will be a better QB with Chase, but a safer QB with Sewell.
Let me preface this by saying that I’m a Browns fan who could care less about the Bengals, but I also love Burrow and I want to see him succeed more than just about any player in the league.
Chase is an incredible talent, but if I’m the Bengals I sprint to the podium with Sewell’s name on the draft card as long as he’s available. Receivers are a luxury for them, and I liked the Reiff addition but they shouldn’t be settling for the excuse of “this is a deep offensive line class” like they’ve said publicly. They have a few decent pieces on that line, but it’s still nowhere near a strength. It also won’t matter how good their skill position talent is if Burrow is injured or always on the ground. Building around a quarterback and giving him weapons is always good, but you need to protect him first.
The best lineman in the class is a value pick at 5. Take him and be done with it.
I’m someone who advocates for O-lineman over WR’s 9 times out of 10. However, in this case, Chase feels like the safer pick. You keep hearing about “maturity issues” with Sewell. For a team with a more established culture, maybe that’s less of a concern.
I’ve heard that stuff about Sewell but he was 19 years old when he last played. EVERYONE that age has maturity issues. Like I said above I like Chase better but I won’t be upset if they call Sewell instead
It depends on perspective. Sewell may be the better investment long term. But if I’m Taylor feeling the seat getting hot, I might want a player who is more likely to shine immediately.
Another good point
I’ve heard a lot of the same things and at this point I think it’s 50-50 that he’s even the first OT off the board. Sounds like a lot of people have Slater as the top OT. Either way, Chase is a superior and safer prospect.
I think the Bengals best option is to hope Denver falls in love with Trey Lance or Justin Fields, and the Falcons take Pitts. They could, probably, demand Denver’s 1st pick next year, which could be a pretty high pick, plus something like their 2nd or 3rd rd pk this year. I love all 3 WR’s in this class, and one should still be available at Denver’s pick at #9. Take your choice of Waddle, who would be my pick, or Smith, and use those draft picks to make you a true contender in the future. Just my opinion.
Bengals are not moving out of this pick. It’s Chase or Sewell. IMOP, it goes Lawrence, Wilson, Jones, TRADE W/DENVER-Justin FIelds, Chase, PItts, TRADE/W WFT Lance, Sewell, Surtain. I know many are mocking New England to trade up for a QB but since Bill B has never in his entire coaching career, traded up for a QB, I am playing the odds. New England will trade down and take a one of these three QB’s Trask,Mond,Mills in the 2nd round or late in the first round.
I am not saying they will, or think they will trade back, I just think they should when you consider what they could “potentially” receive, and what their “most likely” player options would be at that point.
Your options are most likely Sewell, Pitts or Chase.
You can take one of the best looking LTs in a while that’ll protect your star QB that’s had injury problems.
Or you could take Pitts, one of the best TE prospects in a very long time and by all assessments will be a sure thing top 5/10 player in his position straight away.
Or lastly Chase who looks like a very good WR prospect and has played college ball with your star QB. However compared to previous draft classes he doesn’t stand out as some amazing WR that’s head and shoulders above others in previous years.
I’d take Sewell, 100%. Burrow is already banged up and another physically rough season could be really hard for him and his body. Not to mention you have some options at WR already with Boyd and Higgins, it’s not like you don’t have any receivers.
QB can’t throw the ball well if constantly under pressure/sacked or injured. RB will be better with a better line. And long term wise OL cost about half as much at WRers.
A lot of good comments here. Honestly, y’all did great.
I think Chase is a good pick for Cincy. If Sewell does indeed have maturity issues (none of use have any real idea, I guarantee the teams know more than we do about that), the Bengals can evaluate whether their locker room can handle it. But they do need a number one target if they want to build around their QB,and apparently promised Burrow that they’d build around him. If nothing else, selecting Chase gives them a quality receiver while building their QB’s trust while improving the offense. Higgins will be on the other side, which isn’t too shabby for a one and two, especially considering that Boyd is still there as an option.
I think the value to Burrow is worth it, if you’re really as committed to him as you promised. If not, independently Chase is just a great prospect. Sewell, if drafted, will either have to move to the right or Williams will move instead. Either way, someone’s not playing the position he got drafted to play. He’ll probably good, whomever plays RT, but I think at that pick in the draft it’s better to play the guy you selected at his natural position. A connection with your second year QB who needs improvement throwing deeper routes (whether due to playcalling, roster makeup, or development in the professional game) is valuable in improving your offense for your offensive minded coach. Sewell wouldn’t be bad, of course, but I think Chase is the best pick for Cincy.
Take Sewell.
Burrow needs to be standing at the end of most plays.
Old school approach that isn’t seen as the new school cool , but you build your teams starting with the LINE.
BBC
I’d listen to my young QB on this particular pick if I were the Bengals GM. He knows Chase, has played with Chase and has a comfort level with him it sounds. Maybe you buy a little goodwill with Burrow when extension time comes down the road by giving him some input here.
A quarterback on injured reserve isn’t going to win many games. Draft as many offensive lineman as you can…
Yes, draft linemen. However, they appear ok at LT. They can take Chase in the 1st and focus on the OL afterwards.
They need to grab Sewell, if he’s there when they pick, or trade down and get more pieces. Drafting a WR at 5 is silly on a team that still has a long way to go to competing.
I have a hard time with the idea that Sewell is a sure thing. I know he’s very big and very athletic, but the NFL is full of big and athletic. The PAC 12 does not have great recent history producing offensive lineman. I’m afraid a guy like Sewell could look very dominant against smaller, less physical competition. I would bet on LSU’s history of producing WR’s. Especially considering we have a true side by side comparison with Justin Jefferson, who was VERY good as a rookie.
Guys. Guys. This is a no-brainer. Take a franchise tackle and worry about WR later. It doesn’t matter who you have at WR if Joe has no time to throw and there is no running game – all because the line is worthless
Why is Sewell working out at both LT and RT? Bc he thinks he may get drafted by a team with an established LT already. I think he does go to the Bengals. Chase is a nice player, but games are won in the trenches.
Yes you need a good line but you don’t need all-pros, you just can’t have a weak link. There are starting quality OT available in round 2 and starting quality OG even later this season so I’m ok with Chase