Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase makes "Tier 1" status in latest ESPN position rankings
Rostering world class receivers is nothing new for the Cincinnati Bengals, but it is unbelievably special that they have one playing for them at all times. Ja'Marr Chase is that guy right now, and he's near the top of pretty much everyone's list. In ESPN's top 10 wide receivers list, curated by numerous executives, coaches, […]
Rostering world class receivers is nothing new for the Cincinnati Bengals, but it is unbelievably special that they have one playing for them at all times.
Ja'Marr Chase is that guy right now, and he's near the top of pretty much everyone's list. In ESPN's top 10 wide receivers list, curated by numerous executives, coaches, and scouts, Chase is now firmly in "Tier 1" at his position along with Justin Jefferson and Davante Adams. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler stated that these three are very close in the eyes of NFL personnel, and that they all belong in the same tier.
Despite missing four games last year due to a hip injury, Chase still came in at No. 3 on the list behind Jefferson and Adams, and ahead of the likes of Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs. Chase is the youngest of this elite group of receivers, and with that comes less polish in his game compared to his peers. Even with that distinction, Chase's raw ability makes him impossible for seasoned football eyes to ignore.
"He's not as polished as a route runner or technician as Jefferson, but the combination of size, speed and playmaking ability is elite. He's trending up. His raw playmaking ability is rare. Run after catch, he's probably the best of these guys." — senior NFL personnel executive on Chase
Through two regular seasons, Chase has already amassed 2,501 yards and 22 touchdowns through the air. He still hasn't even eclipsed 90 receptions in a season, let alone 100. He's on a path that only a few in league history have gone done before him.
His place at the top of the list is well deserved, and with even more refinement and experience, he'll be in the top two before long.
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Featured image via © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
