2021 NFL Draft Picks: Ja'Marr Chase Won't Slip As Far As The Dolphins
2021 NFL Draft Picks: Ja'Marr Chase Won't Slip As Far As The Miami Dolphins
So far with our analysis of the best value on the NFL Draft we've told you why Trevor Lawrence is a lock and why Justin Fields will go third overall ahead of Mac Jones. Today we're focusing on the wideouts and one of the most exciting talents in a long, long time.
NFL Draft Ja'Marr Chase Odds, Pick & Prediction
Outside of the quarterbacks there are a number of hugely exciting skill players in the 2021 NFL Draft. The phrase "generational talent" is overused and has probably lost it's meaning but there are two guys coming out, who are both pass catchers, who truly deserve to be described in those terms.
Today we won't be discussing Kyle Pitts but instead Ja'Marr Chase of LSU. Ja'Marr play is as exciting of a talent and we've seen in some years and comes into this draft as more of an exciting talent than even CeeDee Lamb was in 2020. Which is incredible for somebody who hasn't seen the gridiron in a year.
One of the knocks on DeVonta Smith, this year's Heisman winner is his lack of size. That isn't an issue for Ja'Marr Chase who has all the physical tools to be an alpha in the NFL. He's 2cm shorter than Smith but weighs 94kg. At his LSU pro day Ja'Marr Chase recorded a 4.38 second 40-yard dash, a huge 41 inch vertical and an 11-foot broadjump. He is a monster and NFL defenses need to be worried because he has the tools to match.
The line for Ja'Marr Chase with the sportsbooks is over/under 5.5. If the first three selections are to be quarterbacks, and lets be honest, they will be, then we have 2 chances for Chase to go under the line. Let's go through the teams who could pick him.
Miami owns the sixth overall selection and it's hard to imagine him dropping any further than then. The Dolphins have committed to Tua Tagovailoa as their QB and the most important thing they can do for him now is to surround him by elite talent. Devante Parker has been great over the past two seasons but Ja'Marr Chase is a different animal and he would be an instant upgrade, giving the Dolphins an immediate threat from day one. I can't see him lasting that long.
Will the Bengals draft Ja'Marr Chase?
One pick before that is the Cincinnati Bengals. Realistically it feels that the Bengals are in need of two things, both of which are available in this draft. They need offensive line help to protect Joe Burrow and they need another x-factor wide reciever to help their sophomore QB shine. Tee Higgins was brilliant as a rookie, his emergence made another poor season from AJ Green go largely without note. Penei Sewell is the selection that I'd make if I were the GM of the Bengals but we can't forget that Joe Burrow played with Ja'Marr Chase at LSU. It's been reported that Burrow hasn't lobbied the Bengals top brass to select Chase but I struggle to believe that they wouldn't take him if he fell that far. He enjoyed an excellent connection with Joe Burrow at LSU, considerably outperforming Justin Jefferson, who didn't have a bad rookie year with the Vikings, as he reached the Pro-Bowl and caught 7 TDs for 1400 yards. I believe that with the right QB it's more than possible that Chase could exceed those numbers, which were historic. He's simply that good.
At four we see the Atalanta Falcons picking. With Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones they don't really need another WR, even if he's a talent like Chase. I think the Falcons have two options here, they either select a QB, who they can let sit and learn under Ryan, or they trade out. I expect them to trade out and there's a real chance that any team trading up would be looking to jump the line and snag Ja'Marr Chase rather than grabbing whoever of Trey Lane, Justin Fields and Mac Jones is remaining.
For that reason I think that it's well worth taking the under on Chase going 5.5 overall. He is an elite talent and a possible gamechanger who could upgrade every single offense in the National Football League.
NFL Draft Expert Pick
NFL Draft Over/Under - Ja'Marr Chase Under Pick 5.5 @ -106 (Click to bet)
2021 NFL Draft Free Picks
As we get ready for the 2021 NFL Draft in April, we take a look at the odds for some of the top prospects available. We know Trevor Lawrence will be going first overall, but what about Zach Wilson? Justin Fields? Penei Sewell?
Leading up to the draft, NFL experts Sam Farley and Brian Good will break down the odds for each of the top players in the 2021 NFL Draft and try to predict where they’ll be playing come Week 1 next season.