Cris Collinsworth kicks off Ja'Marr Chase rookie of the year campaign with eye-popping stats

Cincinnati Bengals rookie receiver Ja’Marr Chase has been putting up some impressive numbers in his rookie campaign. And NBC Sports’ Chris Collinsworth has visions of the rookie collecting a major award at the end of the season. Collins took to Twitter this weekend to kick off Chase’s campaign for rookie of the year.

The case for Chase

What the newcomer has been able to do in his first season has been nothing short of impressive. Teams that have elected to play Chase with one on one coverage have paid the price over the first five games. Against single man coverage, the former LSU star has a grade of 93.4, according to Pro Football Focus. Not only that but he currently has 405 yards receiving and five touchdowns in one-on-one situations. But these numbers don’t just top rookie stats, they are tops in the NFL.

Over the first five games of his career, Chase has 23 receptions on 35 targets or 456 yards. His 35 targets tie fellow Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd for most on the team. Only Boyd has more receptions with 27. However, his 456 yards are nearly 200 yards better than the second-most on the team. Not only that but Chase has picked up where he left off two years ago at LSU with his big-play ability. He is averaging 19.8 yards per catch and has seven of the team’s 16 big plays through the air.

Future ROTY and record holder?

At his current pace, Chase could see himself claim two NFL rookie records. If he can maintain his average of 91 yards receiving per game, he will break the record for most receiving yards in a rookie season by more than 100 yards. That record is currently held by his former LSU teammate and current Minnesota Viking wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Jefferson set the record last year with 1,400 yards over 16 games. And if he keeps the average of one touchdown per game, he will tie Moss with the most receiving touchdowns in a rookie season (17). His five touchdowns put him tied for second in the NFL. Only Mike Williams of the Los Angeles Chargers with six is ahead of the rookie receiver from LSU.

Before he was drafted there was debate amongst the NFL world on whether the Bengals should select him or one of the two highly graded left tackles in the draft. It’s safe to say at this point in the season the Bengals did not get the pick wrong. And as a reward for the both of them, they could see Chase crowned the NFL’s rookie of the year at season’s end.