5 second-year Bengals poised for big 2022 season

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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 30: Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase #1 (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

4. Ja’Marr Chase

Ja’Marr Chase will be headed into his second season and people are going to slap the “sophomore slump” label on Chase after having such a productive rookie season. Don’t expect that to be the case with Chase as long as Joe Burrow is behind center.

Chase had 81 catches and over 1,400 yards, which shows how effective he was for the Cincinnati offense. As he continues to grow as a player, he will only get better, and the chemistry between him and Burrow will also only get better as they play more snaps and gain more experience together.

Racking up 13 touchdowns may be tough to match, but 18.0 yards per catch and his target share could be improved or matched in year two.

Chase dominated one on one matchups last season, and this will be a big year to see how he does against mostly double teams. He will now have some NFL film on him so they can genuinely adjust to his style of play and scheme, making it harder on Chase in year two.

That will just be another challenge that elite receivers have to face each year in the league once defenses get more and more tape on players.