The Cincinnati Bengals know that Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are the No. 1 and No. 2 receivers on the depth chart. However, should an injury happen or either player have an off night, who will be that No. 3 receiver to pick up the slack this 2025 NFL season?
In 2024, Cincinnati invested a third-round pick to select Jermaine Burton from Alabama. Now, entering Year 2 with the Bengals, the expectation should be that Burton will challenge the No. 3 receiver spot held by Tyler Boyd, who left the team after the 2023 season.
On Friday, ESPN’s Ben Baby relayed the information from Bengals training camp, and one piece of information was that Burton had a couple of good catches in a day filled with red-zone drills. Tight end Mike Gesicki commented on what has allowed the 24-year-old to hit the ground running in training camp.
“We know he has enough talent and enough ability to do it,” Gesicki said. “I think mentally, he’s had the right mindset coming in here.”
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Even with the right mindset and strong showings in training camp, Burton isn’t letting the praise go to his head. He’s staying focused and committed to improving his game as the season approaches.
“They see a difference in my work ethic and how focused I am,” Burton said. “But I’m just trying to tune everything out and just really just stay head down and work and be a real asset to this team.”
Last season was a rookie season to forget for Burton, who appeared in 14 games for the Bengals, but only had four receptions on 14 targets, recording 107 receiving yards and zero touchdowns.
While it’s clear that quarterback Joe Burrow will look for Chase and Higgins, it shouldn’t prevent other players like Burton from stepping up when the opportunity arises to have a big game to keep garnering the trust of the Bengals’ signal caller.
