{"id":134320,"date":"2022-07-25T11:01:23","date_gmt":"2022-07-25T15:01:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=134320"},"modified":"2022-11-25T10:58:21","modified_gmt":"2022-11-25T15:58:21","slug":"cincinnati-bengals-wide-receivers-training-camp-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2022\/07\/25\/cincinnati-bengals-wide-receivers-training-camp-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Cincinnati Bengals Wide Receivers: Training Camp Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Cincinnati Bengals\u00a0wide receivers unit <\/span>sports<\/span><\/a> what<\/span><\/a> many<\/span><\/a> consider to be the best trio in the league. Rookie sensation Ja’Marr Chase is already among the best deep threats in the game. Tee Higgins would easily be the top receiver on many teams. And Tyler Boyd excels from the slot. The unit was key to the team’s success in 2021 and will return intact for 2022. <\/span>Even better for the Bengals, the unit is incredibly young and under contract for at least two more seasons.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

READ MORE<\/strong>: Bengals Running Backs Preview<\/a><\/p>\n

Previewing the Cincinnati Bengals Wide Receivers Heading into Training Camp<\/h2>\n

Ja\u2019Marr Chase<\/b><\/h3>\n

Ja\u2019Marr Chase exceeded all expectations as a rookie. He finished with the most yards by a rookie ever (1,455), while also setting the team\u2019s single-season receiving record. Chase also put up 13 receiving touchdowns, good for third-most in the league. He also led the team with 81 receptions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many doubted his selection at fifth overall. It was argued the Bengals should have beefed up the offensive line with Penei Sewell instead. Chase then went through a bad case of drops in camp and preseason, further emboldening his and the team\u2019s critics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Chase put the doubts to rest easily in Week 1, reeling in a <\/span>50-yard bomb<\/span> from Burrow that was reminiscent of their days at LSU. Indeed it seemed that the two did not miss a beat from their year apart. By midseason, it was apparent that the connection he had with Burrow rivaled that of any quarterback-wide receiver pair in the league. He slowed down a bit after Week 7, going through a seven-week \u201crookie lull\u201d where he failed to eclipse 80 yards in any contest (though he did have four touchdowns in that span). Chase then put together back-to-back masterful games to help Cincinnati win the division, with 125 yards against the Baltimore Ravens<\/a> and a dominant 266 yards and three touchdowns against the Kansas City Chiefs<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

He continued his dominant season in the playoffs by breaking yet another record, for most receiving yards by a rookie in the postseason, with 368. And no Bengal fan can forget him breaking wide-open from Jalen Ramsey on the last play of the game for a potential game-winner, only for Burrow to get sacked before he could deliver the pass.<\/span><\/p>\n

Going into year two, Chase will aim to work on cutting down on the drops, as he ended up leading the league with 11. He must also be ready to deal with a lot more focused coverage as he continues to grow. But the promise of his rookie year shows a receiver ready to propel into the conversation for best in the league.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tee Higgins<\/h3>\n

Tee Higgins spent a good chunk of the season in the shadow of Chase. This was not only due to Chase\u2019s hot start, but Higgins’ shoulder injury in Week 2 that cost him two games and lingered for some time after. Through 10 weeks (eight games), he had 446 receiving yards (56 avg\/game). However, he turned a corner in Week 11, recording 100+ yards in four of the next six contests. He finished the year with 74 receptions for 1091 yards and six touchdowns.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the playoffs, he started quietly against the Las Vegas Raiders<\/a> with only one catch for 10 yards. However, he was scorching hot the rest of the way, including 100 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Super Bowl.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the injury, his sophomore year was a successful step forward from his rookie year. He had more receptions and yards and did so in two fewer games. Undoubtedly, he benefitted from operating opposite Chase, but his talent drove his success. He excelled at snagging jump balls over corners, and Burrow showed absolute faith in putting him in the position to win one-on-ones (or sometimes <\/span>one-on-twos<\/span>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Headed into year three, Higgins will continue to show that while he may be the Robin to Chase\u2019s Batman, he is a number one receiver in his own right. Treat him otherwise, and he and Burrow will make you pay. And speaking of pay, the Bengals will look to lock him down long-term once he is extension eligible next offseason. He will be extra motivated to show his worth before then.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

#Bengals<\/a> WRs in 2021:<\/p>\n

Ja'Marr Chase:
– 7.5 targets\/game
– 21.2% targets\/route run
– 2.51 yards\/route run<\/p>\n

Tee Higgins:
– 7.9 targets\/game
– 22.4% targets\/route run
– 2.26 yards\/route run<\/p>\n

We have both CIN WRs ranked inside the Top-12 for 2022 #FantasyFootball<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/HCTUsW48pq<\/a><\/p>\n

— Fantasy Footballers (@TheFFBallers) July 23, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n