04-21-2021, 04:53 PM
(04-21-2021, 04:25 PM)Hammerstripes Wrote: I see your point, but when you have 2 other 1st round NFL WRs and a 1st round RB out of the backfield, it's not really far to say that Chase was dictating what was going on. Teams just picked their poison. Sometimes teams reduced his effectiveness (Georgia 3/41, OU 2/61, Mississippi State 5/48 etc.) while Jefferson would roll up big numbers.
I also wonder what he would have looked like playing with a QB other than Burrow, because he didn't do much his freshman year.
I have no doubt that he will be a top 10 WR in a couple years, but I still struggle to figure out if he's a better pick than Sewell.
Jefferson going in the first was a bit of a surprise. It was actually Tee Higgins projected around there and then, draft day, that kind of flipped. CEH to the Cheifs was also a shocker. He was a projected mid 2nd rounder, as well. Neither of those guys were considered anywhere near the prospect Chase was after that 2019 season. Nowhere close.
I think that if we analyzed Kyle Pitts numbers we would see similar things, right? The biggest difference is that Chase was battling the #1 CB from most of these teams. He torched the 4 SEC CBs taken 9, 16, 30, & 51(?) in last year's draft for 30 catches, 600+ yards, and 5 TDs in 4 games. Some of them HUGE games. He was in the spotlight and outshined them all. The Bengals NEED that kind of person.
In Pitts, we would see a very bland 2019. He had 1 big game against LSU for 108 yards and then a bunch of 4 catch performances.
- The offense LSU ran Chase's freshman year was archaic and ultra old school - even with Burrow there. Burrow played at LSU in 2018. This was discussed a ton on different podcasts last year when analyzing Joe Brady's change to a more wide open concept and debating if Joe Burrow was a "1 year wonder". I don't blame anyone for not going to the moon with their output in 2018. It was an old system ran and designed by an old man. The consensus was: Joe Burrow and the LSU guys were allowed to play to the best of their abilities and the handcuffs came off in 2019. THAT is why they all exploded.
Teams can focus and take guys away. That happens in the NFL as well. The Bengals have weapons to make teams pay when they do that. Higgins, Boyd, Mixon... all strong. BTW, they need more weapons, IMO. They will take another WR later in the draft. I have no doubts. I wouldn't hate a RB higher, either.
Fun fact about Jamaar Chase: Even though he didn't play football, I believe he stayed at LSU and got his degree. I thought that was interesting.
Bottom line for me: The Bengals NEED playmakers AND O-Line help. The MUST get better there. Pitts, Chase, Sewell... or whoever... this draft, for me, is about rounds 2-4. That is where the money is made in this draft. Starters are there to be had. Any of the above 3 in round 1 I am A ok with. Any of them. hell, I am fine with a trade back and taking Darrisaw. A lot of paths for success lie ahead for the Bengals.
