Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) speaks with teammates during practice, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the Kettering Health Practice Field in Downtown Cincinnati. Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Pro Football Focus Ranks Ja'Marr Chase Outside NFL's Top-Two Wide Receivers

Originally posted on Cincinnati Bengals on SI
By Russell Heltman | Last updated May 22, 2025 6:56 AM ET

Pro Football Focus writer Trevor Sikkema does not have Ja'Marr Chase atop his latest NFL wide receiver ranking, despite his historic 2024 season.

The triple-crown winner checked in at No. 3 on his ranking behind Philadelphia's A.J. Brown and Minnesota's Justin Jefferson.

"The 2024 triple-crown winner — first in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns — excelled in several areas, but his work after the catch stood out most," Sikkema wrote. "He gained 800 yards after the catch last season and leads all receivers with 1,788 yards after the catch since 2022."

Bengals fans will surely take issue with this ranking, especially with Brown above Chase and Jefferson.

"Brown dominates defensive backs across the board, but his success against single coverage is especially notable," Sikkema wrote about his top pick. "He earned the highest receiving grade versus single coverage in 2024 (96.6) and leads the league in that category over the past three seasons (2022–24) with a 97.0 grade. He can win in every way, against any defense."

All of them were grouped into "Tier 1" of the group, so Chase is still a cut above nearly all of the NFL's wide receivers. That being said, Chase has never posted a season with a sub-11 Approximate Value on Pro Football Reference, while Brown has two seasons below that mark in six campaigns.