Cincinnati Bengals 2021 NFL Draft grades: Needs have been filled

The Cincinnati Bengals went into the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft with one question to answer. Ja’Marr Chase or Penei Sewell? Everybody knew that the pick was between those two stars and everybody seemed to have an opinion on which would be the smarter move. Ultimately, Cincinnati chose to reunite their franchise quarterback with his old go-to at LSU by selecting Ja’Marr Chase with the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Grade: A

Chase had just one season of major production at LSU but boy was that season special. He broke SEC records for receiving yards (1,780) and touchdowns (20) in a season and was at his best when the lights were the brightest. In the 2019 CFP final against Trevor Lawrence and the Clemson Tigers, Chase set the record for most receiving yards in a championship game with 221 and brought in two touchdowns.

It just felt like he was levels above the competition each and every week and will now look to help elevate the Cincinnati Bengals passing offense, which ranked 27th in the NFL in 2020.

We know that Joe Burrow and Chase already have a special connection, so adding him to a receiver room that also has Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins will give Cincinnati one of the most dangerous young pass-catching trios in the game today. Even if you are someone who would have preferred the Bengals to take Penei Sewell, there is no denying the impact Ja’Marr Chase will make with the team.