Chase Calls Fifth-Overall Pick Best Decision
Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase says being drafted fifth by Cincinnati in 2021 was the best decision of his life.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Football
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Ja'Marr Chase said being selected fifth overall by the Bengals in the 2021 NFL Draft was the best decision of his life. He made the comments ahead of a November 8 matchup between Cincinnati and the Falcons in Madrid, Spain.
Why it matters
Chase's remarks reflect how his rookie-year success and subsequent production have shaped his view of the franchise choice. The Bengals and Falcons game in Madrid also places the team's star receiver in an international spotlight.
Chase's rookie totals of 81 receptions, 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2021 were followed by a 2024 season leading the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns with 127 catches, 1,708 yards and 17 scores. He has earned five Pro Bowl selections.
The players
Ja'Marr Chase
A Bengals wide receiver who won 2021 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and has earned five Pro Bowl selections after a standout college career at LSU alongside quarterback Joe Burrow.
Cincinnati Bengals
An NFL franchise based in Cincinnati, Ohio, that reached Super Bowl LVI after the 2021 season and selected Chase in the first round of that year's draft.
The details
Chase was drafted fifth overall in 2021, one pick after Atlanta selected tight end Kyle Pitts fourth. Chase's comments came ahead of the Bengals' November 8 game against the Falcons in Madrid, Spain.
Timeline
2020 season: Joe Burrow suffered a serious knee injury, prompting the Bengals to add offensive support.
2021 NFL Draft: Cincinnati selected Chase fifth overall.
2021 season: Chase was named AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, and the Bengals reached Super Bowl LVI.
2024 season: Chase led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
November 8, 2026: The Bengals and Falcons play in Madrid, Spain.
Draft Comparison
Chase's 2021 draft position placed him one spot behind Kyle Pitts, whom Atlanta selected fourth overall in the same class. Chase's subsequent production, including the 2024 NFL receiving lead, has become the basis for judging that first-round sequence.
Fantasy managers tracking Chase should note his 2024 league-leading totals of 127 catches, 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns as a benchmark for his production. The Madrid game on November 8 falls on a date fans can plan around.
The takeaway
Chase's rookie and 2024 numbers show how a draft pick can outgrow the expectations set on draft night. Readers tracking the Bengals can use his season totals to measure what a top receiver contributes.
What happens next
The Bengals and Falcons are scheduled to play in Madrid, Spain on November 8, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the league, see Football coverage of the Bengals' season.
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