Road to WR1: Ja’Marr Chase

Ja’Marr Chase has taken the league by storm since he was drafted 5th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021. With three straight seasons as a top 15 receiver in fantasy football, Chase looks to break through as the fantasy WR1 in 2024.

In his rookie season, Chase had 81 catches for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning Rookie of the Year and helping the Bengals get their first postseason win since 1990 and first Super Bowl appearance since 1988. He broke Justin Jefferson’s rookie record for most yards from a rookie while posting a rookie record 266 yards against the Chiefs and was the first rookie to have multiple 100-yard receiving games in the postseason. Not to mention, he also broke the Bengals’ record for most receiving yards in a season.

By his standards, the last two seasons have been somewhat disappointing. He missed four games in 2022 en route to 87 receptions, 1046 yards and nine touchdowns, then in 2023 ended up with 100 receptions for 1216 yards, and seven touchdowns. These would be great numbers for most players, but they are somewhat below expectations after a monstrous first season for Chase.

For Chase to meet those expectations in 2024, it will all come down to health, for both himself and his quarterback Joe Burrow. Burrow was injured early in training camp in 2023 and was not very efficient for the first month of the season. In Week 11, he injured his elbow and missed the remainder of the season.

But from Week 5 to Week 10 when Burrow was most healthy, Chase was second in fantasy points per game for wide receivers behind only CeeDee Lamb. Even early in 2023, he was on pace for 150 receptions, 1,600 yards, and 10 touchdowns. 

Ja'Marr Chase's path to WR1

At only 24, Ja’Marr Chase is already one of the most talented receivers in the league and is paired with one of the top quarterbacks Joe Burrow, so this is an easy one. Burrow and Chase have been among the top connections since they played at LSU together and Burrow was reportedly involved with the Bengals drafting Chase in 2021.

In the games they have played together, Chase has a 17-game pace of 100 catches, nearly 1,500 yards, and 12 touchdowns — top-tier fantasy numbers. With a renewed focus on his health, Burrow wants to prove to everyone he is healthy and still one of the quarterbacks who can win a Super Bowl, and Chase is likely to be one of the biggest benefactors. 

Running back Joe Mixon ended up getting traded to Houston and receiver Tyler Boyd left in free agency to go to the Titans, so their 162 targets are up for grabs. It is reasonable to believe that Chase will soak up some of those targets over newcomers Jermaine Burton and Zach Moss. The Bengals are also a team that, when healthy in 2021 and 2022, scored 50 or more touchdowns and was top-eight in scoring both years.

Chase is in line for an increase in his touchdown totals as this offense gets back to normal, as he has been the Bengals leader in targets in the red zone every season so far. He should have no problem getting over 160 targets, which should lead to a chance to reach double-digit touchdowns again. 

His big-play ability should also be a major factor in the Bengals offense - he has had multiple 200-yard receiving games and has the most (eight) 50+ yard touchdowns since he entered the league, ahead of speedster Tyreek Hill. We already expect Chase to be close to the league lead in targets and receptions, so this explosiveness will be a key factor in his quest to become the overall WR1 in fantasy.

Chase has claimed his spot as one of the top receivers in the league, and his game-breaking abilities will be on full display as he looks to cash in on a contract to match what former running mate Justin Jefferson received this offseason. With a healthy Burrow, Chase is poised to have another incredible year and take over the top receiver spot in all of fantasy football.