2021 NFL Draft: LSU WR Ja’Marr Chase is a top-five talent

Strengths

Chase is an extremely versatile route-runner who excels at creating separation with quick feet at the stem but also does a superb job of using his hands to gain a step on defenders.

NFL teams should be confident of Chase’s ability to win against press coverage at the next level as he has consistently been able to work off physical coverage and get open through intelligent usage of his hands.

His stop-start quickness and fluid lower body movement allow Chase to successfully sell double moves to get free from coverage.

Chase is a hands-catcher who tracks the ball brilliantly, looking it into his grasp but almost always attacking it with his hands. He has the body control to adjust to inaccurate throws and can dominate at the catch point, where he has regularly shown the ability to make leaping grabs over the heads of defenders.

After the catch, Chase demonstrates the contact balance to stay on his feet through even the heaviest of tackle attempts and has the speed to break away from defenders and turn short catches into long touchdown receptions, with his proficiency in that area of the game enabling Chase to average a remarkable 21.2 yards per reception in 2019.