Chase Brown enters the 2025 season in a completely different position than where he started his NFL journey. After a breakout 2024 campaign where he handled 283 total touches and delivered RB1 fantasy numbers for most of the season, the 25-year-old has firmly established himself as Cincinnati's feature back. The coaching staff's public comments about making him a focal point of the offense tell you everything about their plans for the former Illinois standout.
The transformation from his rookie season has been remarkable. Brown jumped from just 58 total touches in 2023 to becoming a workhorse who averaged over 17 touches per game last year. His 229 rushing attempts and 54 receptions showcase the dual-threat capability that makes him so valuable in today's NFL. Most importantly, he stayed healthy throughout the entire 16-game season, proving he can handle the workload that comes with being a lead back.
Brown's role projection for 2025 looks even more promising. The preseason action has shown the Bengals trust him in crucial situations, including goal-line carries where he punched in a touchdown on fourth-and-goal. With no significant competition added to the backfield, expect his touch share to remain in the 17-20 per game range. His pass-catching ability gives him a safe floor in PPR formats, while his role in one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL provides serious ceiling potential.
The supporting cast around Brown couldn't be much better for fantasy purposes. Joe Burrow's presence ensures defenses can't stack the box, while the trio of Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd keeps secondaries honest. Zac Taylor's offensive system has consistently produced fantasy-relevant running backs, and with Dan Pitcher coordinating, there's no reason to expect a step back in offensive efficiency.
Brown's path to success is straightforward - stay healthy and maintain his role as the clear-cut RB1. His 4.32 yards per carry efficiency from 2024 suggests he's making the most of his opportunities, and his 11 total touchdowns demonstrate red zone reliability. If Cincinnati's offense takes another step forward with a healthy Burrow for a full season, Brown could easily push into RB1 territory for fantasy.
The main concerns center around durability and potential regression. While he handled the workload well in 2024, this will be his first full season as a true workhorse from day one. The Bengals also lost some key pieces along the offensive line, which could impact rushing efficiency. Additionally, his current draft position assumes continued health and role security - any setback could derail his season quickly.
Based on current PPR rankings, Brown is being drafted around pick 21 overall, which puts him in the late second or early third round territory. That feels appropriate for a player who delivered low-end RB1 numbers last season with room for growth. If you're looking for a safe floor with legitimate upside, this is your guy - the situation has completely changed from his rookie season, and the Bengals are telegraphing their intentions to lean on him heavily.
Test different draft strategies with our mock draft simulator to see how targeting Brown in the second or third round fits your roster construction. Don't get caught sleeping on this opportunity - all signs point to another strong campaign for Cincinnati's featured back.
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