ChaseBrown

News: 4 hours agoBrown is looking forward to an elevated role in the Bengals offense in 2026, Landon Belote of SI.com reports.

Spin: In particular, Brown cited the scheme's efficiency while running the ball under center and also how much he's been lining up in the slot in the passing game during training camp. After earning just 58 touches as a fifth-round rookie in 2023, his usage increased to 283 touches in 2024 and 301 touches last season. In 17 regular-games in 2025, he matched or set career highs across the board, tallying 1,456 yards from scrimmage and 11 total TDs. Considering Brown was one of seven RBs with at least 50 receptions last year (69, to be exact), his stature in fantasy has never been higher.

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.