20 NFL bold predictions after the 2022 NFL Draft

By Randy Gurzi | May 8, 2022

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) gets set before a snap in the first quarter during Super Bowl 56 against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.Nfl Super Bowl 56 Los Angeles Rams Vs Cincinnati Bengals Feb 13 2022 0526 /

15 of 20

CINCINNATI, OHIO – JANUARY 02: Ja’Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals makes a catch for a touchdown while being guarded by Charvarius Ward #35 of the Kansas City Chiefs in the second quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

6. Ja’Marr Chase breaks receiving record with more than 2,000-yards

When the Cincinnati Bengals took Ja’Marr Chase fifth overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, everyone thought they were crazy. Quarterback Joe Burrow was coming off a torn ACL and their offensive line was a mess, which had all the draft pundits predicting they would take Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell.

While Sewell went to the Detroit Lions and played well — and the Bengals line struggled mightily — no one can say they made a bad choice now. Chase, who had his share of the yips in the preseason, ended up going off as a rookie. He hauled in 81 passes for 1,455 yards with 13 touchdowns.

Paired with Tee Higgins, he completely changed the Bengals passing attack and helped them make it to the Super Bowl. In an ironic twist of fate, he even had Jalen Ramsey beat for a potential Super Bowl-winning touchdown but Burrow had no time to pass thanks to the line failing him.

Fast forward to 2022 and the Bengals overhauled their line with the addition of La’el Collins, Ted Karras, and Alex Cappa. With three new starters, they should be able to give Burrow more time, which means more passes coming Chase’s way.

With this being the case, Burrow and Chase could each have monster seasons with Chase breaking Calvin Johnson’s record of 1,964 yards. The fact that Chase will have one more game will help as he becomes the first wideout to ever eclipse the 2,000-yard mark.

Home/NFL