2021 NFL Mock Draft, post-free agency: Browns land Micah Parsons, Falcons shock with Kyle Pitts
By Randy Gurzi
WR. Ja’Marr Chase. 56. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. player. LSU. 5
Despite already having Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, the Cincinnati Bengals were looking into Kenny Golladay this offseason before he landed with the Giants. They were wanting to put even more talent around quarterback Joe Burrow who was fantastic as a rookie but suffered a serious knee injury that cut his first season short. While they might not have landed that in free agency, they make up for it with the No. 5 pick in this 2021 NFL Mock Draft.
The selection for Cincinnati is Ja’Marr Chase, who was fantastic in 2019 for LSU before opting out of the 2020 season. And as many of us should remember, it was Burrow who was throwing him the ball during that breakout campaign, meaning there will instantly be a connection between the two once they’re reunited.
Taking Chase could lead to some criticism since the Bengals didn’t truly upgrade their offensive line — they did sign Riley Reiff although he was less than spectacular in Minnesota. Having said that, Penei Sewell seems to be the main offensive lineman worthy of being a top-five pick and when Miami took him in this mock, Cincy went in a different direction.
On top of that, it wasn’t the O-line’s fault he was hurt as Burrow was injured on a play where he took off and ran. Perhaps he doesn’t have to do this as much with a more explosive receiving corps.