ChaseBrown

News: 1 day agoBrown rushed five times for 16 yards in Thursday's preseason-opening 16-14 win over the Lions.

Spin: Brown and the rest of Cincinnati's starters played two drives Thursday. After recording at least 1,350 scrimmage yards and 11 total touchdowns in each of the past two regular seasons, Brown is locked in atop a Bengals running back depth chart that also includes Samaje Perine and Tahj Brooks. Cincinnati will continue preseason play Aug. 22 against the Bears.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Brown is entering his fourth NFL season and third as Cincinnati's lead back. His 2025 season got off to a rocky start (10.1 fantasy points per game and one touchdown during his first seven games), but it turned around drastically down the stretch (21.2 points per game and 10 TDs during his final 10 games). The improvement coincided with Cincinnati's improved QB play, which should continue into 2026 with a healthy Joe Burrow. Brown has yet to finish a season higher than 16th in carries or rushing yards, but he has scored exactly 11 TDs and has finished fifth in receptions in each of the past two years, both of which have resulted in top-10 fantasy campaigns. The 26-year-old once again has minimal competition for touches in a very good Bengals offense. He's best valued as a fringe RB1.