LSU trailed Clemson, 17-14, midway through the second quarter of the 2019 national championship when Joe Burrow connected with Ja’Marr Chase on a 14-yard touchdown. It was Chase’s fifth reception and second touchdown of the game en route to a nine-catch, 221-yard, and two-touchdown performance in the 42-25 victory.
While Chase had four more receptions for another 74 yards over the final two and a half quarters, he didn’t score again, meaning that 14-yard touchdown was the 20th and final score of his sophomore season and 23rd and final touchdown reception from Burrow in two seasons. Over those two seasons, Burrow posted a 141.9 passer rating and 95.4 passing grade when targeting Chase, according to Pro Football Focus.
Sixteen months later, Burrow could get his former No. 1 receiver back as the Cincinnati Bengals hold the No. 5 pick and are widely expected to choose between Chase and Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell. And if Burrow had his choice, he’d pick his former LSU teammate, Chad Johnson told Olivia Harlan Dekker and Speedy Morman on Unleashed.
“Knowing Joe Burrow, I think he would want Ja’Marr Chase . . . and having a great, great offensive weapon to go along with Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins,” Johnson said. “And I think they can get another adequate, decent left tackle or right tackle . . . maybe later in the draft.”
On this week’s episode of Unleashed, Johnson talked about the Bengals’ decision at No. 5, why NFL owners and general managers make personnel and scouting mistakes, his commitment to a McDonald’s-driven diet, and more. And after Johnson, Evan Silva, NFL Draft analyst and fantasy football writer from Establish the Run, breaks down prospects and picks ahead of this weekend’s draft.
Listen below (or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere else podcasts are available):
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