Ja’Marr Chase was the top wide receiver in the NFL last season, achieving a rare triple crown by leading the league with 127 receptions, 1,708 yards, and 17 touchdowns — a performance unmatched since 1970. Despite being relatively quiet in 2024, Chase recently named Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward as the toughest defender he faces, praising Ward’s footwork, understanding of leverage, and positioning as key strengths, especially since they meet twice each season in their division.
Ward, a former Ohio State standout selected fourth overall, has made the Pro Bowl the past two years and led the league in pass breakups in 2024 with 19, despite battling injuries throughout his career. He played a career-high 16 games last season, limiting Chase to under 100 yards and six receptions in their matchups. While the AFC North is known for its strong cornerbacks, including Jalen Ramsey and Marlon Humphrey, Chase clearly views Ward as the premier defender in the division.
Fan Take: This matchup between Chase and Ward highlights the intense competition and talent concentration in the AFC North, which makes the division one of the most compelling in the NFL. For fans, seeing these elite players battle twice a year adds an exciting layer of strategy and athleticism that could shape playoff outcomes and the future dominance of their teams.
