2021 NFL Mock Draft: Cowboys fix defense, Justin Fields slides to Broncos
By Randy Gurzi
Ja'Marr Chase. Scouting Report. WR. LSU. 56. Pick Analysis. 5. player
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Conventional wisdom says that the Cincinnati Bengals should take an offensive lineman at this spot. They did land Joe Burrow last season and the former LSU quarterback was well on his way to being in the mix for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (although it would have been hard to knock off Justin Herbert) but then disaster struck.
Burrow took a hit to the knee and suffered a serious injury where several ligaments were torn. The knee-jerk reaction (no pun intended) would be to load up on offensive linemen to prevent further injuries and keep Burrow protected. While it’s true they need to do this, it’s also true that having more weapons on offense could help.
On the play where Burrow was hurt, he was on the run, something he might not have to do as much with better weapons. Here in this mock, we go with that approach and add a legit star for him to work with, and one he knows very well in Ja’Marr Chase.
A stud wideout from LSU, Chase opted out of the 2020 season but was on fire in 2019 during the team’s title run. He was the No. 1 receiver on a team that featured Justin Jefferson and Terrace Marshall and should have no problem reconnecting with Burrow.