Ja'Marr Chase

Ja'Marr Chase likely didn't expect to be called a bust before playing his first NFL game. He was the best college wide receiver in 2019 and was drafted fifth overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2021 NFL draft. The pick was not without much debate as the Bengals had the 27th worst offensive line in 2020, and quarterback Joe Burrow needed season-ending knee surgery after taking a hit.

During Chase's first preseason, he struggled with drops while the other two receivers drafted directly after him were playing well. As a result, social media criticized the Bengals for picking Ja'Marr. However, Chase quickly put down the doubters with 101 yards and a touchdown in his first game once the regular season got underway.

He ended up with 1455 yards and 13 touchdowns, the most receiving yards by a Bengals receiver. The Bengals made the playoffs with ten wins.
That famous Allen Iverson quote about practice not being all too meaningful seems applicable to Ja'Marr Chase's first preseason.