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The Cincinnati Bengals, despite their recent record are in an enviable spot in their rebuild. They have a young quarterback who showed this league isn’t too big for him in Joe Burrow and a prime draft spot to build around him. But, they also have an array of top college players to choose from. Much will depend on what the Atlanta Falcons do at pick No. 5, but no matter what, someone who they really want will be there for them. One half of the Burrow-Ja’Marr Chase duo will be there, a huge addition to the line with Oregon’s Penei Sewell, or maybe even Florida tight end Kyle Pitts if the Falcons trade back or grab their quarterback of the future.
Those are the kinds of players you want to be choosing between. They are all “safe” picks, but keeping Burrow protected is likely the safest, especially after he missed six games due to injury last season. But you also want him to have weapons, and Chase, Pitts or even DeVonta Smith would be a boon to that offense along Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. But no matter what they do, it will be a move that should help Burrow and fantasy football upside and in turn, should help all the fantasy players have more chances to put up points with more sustained drives.
Cincinnati Bengals 2021 Draft selections
No. 5: Ja’Marr Chase, WR
No. 46 (via NE): Jackson Carman, OL
No. 69: Joseph Ossai, LB
No. 111: Cameron Sample, DE
No. 122 (via NE): Tyler Shelvin, DT
No. 139 (via NE): D’Ante Smith, OT
No. 149: Evan McPherson, PK
No. 190: Trey Hill, C
No. 202: Chris Evans, RB
No. 235: Wyatt Hubert, DE
Fantasy football impact
Chase will help form one of the better trios at wide receiver in the NFL, as Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd have shown they can get the job done. Now teams will have to deal with three possibly great receivers. His fantasy numbers might take a hit as he transitions to the NFL, but he has the ability to surpass Higgins and Boyd in short order. Add in Chase’s built-in chemistry with Joe Burrow, and his fantasy upside is in the Top 25 his rookie year.