The Cincinnati Bengals could have devoted their offseason to resolving their issues along the offensive line. Given the options at fifth overall, however, they decided that the long-term best course of action was to bring in a wide receiver—not just any wide receiver, but specifically Ja’Marr Chase, the guy with whom their quarterback, Joe Burrow, had so much success in 2019.
Burrow declared for the draft the following year and started 10 games for Cincinnati in 2020 after the Bengals drafted him first overall, before suffering a knee injury. Chase opted not to play, and declared for the draft this year, with the Bengals bringing him in with the fifth pick over Penei Sewell, one of the highest-rated tackle prospects in years.