Not Sauce Gardner or Patrick Surtain: these are Ja’Marr Chase’s top-four cornerbacks in the NFL
Ja’Marr Chase became the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Even though he’s a top WR in the NFL, there are still defenders he’d rather not see.
Let’s begin this article by stating that there aren’t many corners in the league that can lock down Ja’Marr Chase. Having said that there are defenders that the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver admits give him more problems than others.
Paper Chase-ing
After four years in Cincinnati, the Bengals wide receiver has not only become Joe Burrow’s favorite target, he’s probably the best pass catcher in the league. Last year he won the WR triple crown, catching more balls for more yards and more touchdowns than any receiver in the NFL.
His 127 receptions were a career high, his 1,706 were 258 yards short of the all time receiving record for a season and his 17 TDs were six behind Randy Moss’s 23 that he caught for the New England Patriots in 2007. When you look at the numbers and the tape, it’s hard to argue that there is anyone better at the wide receiver position in the NFL.
NFL history: The Bengals have agreed to record deals making Ja’Marr Chase the highest-paid non-QB and Tee Higgins the highest-paid WR2 in the league, per sources. The deals were in place all weekend and Higgins announced the agreement.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2025
🏈Ja’Marr Chase agreed to a 4-year, $161… pic.twitter.com/97wXgMFOHp
That’s why the Bengals decided to pony up the dough and make him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history. This offseason he signed a contract extension that for four years and $161 million. That’s more than $40 million a year, and it’s hard to argue that the receiver hasn’t earned every penny of that massive salary. Having said that, he does have opponents that give him more problems than others.
Top four CBs all in AFC North
Unfortunately for Chase, the top four cornerbacks on his list all play in his division. The No. 1 CB on his list is Denzel Ward who plays for the Cleveland Browns. Since getting drafted out of Ohio State with the 4th pick of the 2018 Draft, he’s made four Pro Bowls and picked off 17 passes.
Next is Joey Porter Jr. who is entering his third season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The son of former Steelers great Joey Porter, he doesn’t just have NFL pedigree through his bones, he’s got the game to potentially be better than his dad when it’s all said and done. In two seasons in the NFL, he’s got 113 total tackles, and 17 pass deflections with 2 INTs.
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Number three on Chase’s list is Jalen Ramsey, how he hasn’t seen much of but he will be seeing plenty more of him in the upcoming season after the Miami Dolphins traded him to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ramsey is a Super Bowl champ, a seven time Pro Bowler and a three time NFL First Teamer. The last time Chase saw Ramsey was in the Super Bowl when the Bengals lost to Ramsey’s LA Rams.
Last but not least is Darius Slay. Slay was an instrumental in the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl run last year. After seven seasons with the Detroit Lions he went to Philly in 2020. Since then the Eagles have been one of the best defenses in the league. He’s a six time Pro Bowler and was a First-Team All Pro selection in 2017. At 34 he’s coming to Pittsburgh to bring championship experience and add to an already deep secondary with Porter Jr. and Ramsey.
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