The Cincinnati Bengals were in a good spot at wide receiver even before adding Ja’Marr Chase. With the addition of Chase, however, it’s almost pushed Tyler Boyd to the side, as Chase and Tee Higgins are the two receivers getting the buzz in and outside of Cincinnati.
This shouldn’t be the case though.
Boyd, a former second-round pick out of Pittsburgh in the 2016 NFL Draft, has proven he can handle the load as a starter. In both 2018 and 2019, Boyd had over 1,000 yards receiving and his career-high in touchdowns was seven, a mark that he achieved in 2018.
Last year, Boyd totaled 79 receptions for 841 yards and four trips into the end zone. He did this damage through 15 games and eight starts.
Bengals WR Tyler Boyd has proven himself yet continues to be pushed aside.
Adding Chase to this offense meant that either Higgins or Boyd’s role would decrease but it doesn’t mean that Boyd won’t be the same player he’s been in recent years. He’s two years removed from going for over 1,000 yards and even in a “down year” last season, he went for over 800 yards.
Boyd hasn’t been completely disrespected though, as CBS Sports listed him and Joe Burrow as one of the best duos in the NFL.
"Jessie Bates III drew consideration, but Boyd has flown relatively under the radar since taking over as a full-timer. Swap in Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins, and the result is the same: Burrow’s upside at the most important position gives Cincy one of the most promising duos in the NFL."
Even with Chase and Higgins typically getting listed ahead of Boyd, that doesn’t mean Boyd won’t get his and have a strong 2021 season. We saw how well he and Burrow gelled together during Burrow’s rookie season and that connection has only grown.
The Bengals are entering the 2021 season with one of the best receiver rooms in the entire league and the fact that Boyd is listed as the WR3 more often than not, that’s the best proof of that there is.
Tyler Boyd is an underrated player on the Bengals’ roster and that’s not something any of us thought we’d be saying heading into the regular season.