Chase Brown is coming off yet another season of heavy usage. He plays in a great offense that consolidates its touches around its three main weapons. He has a three-down profile.
What’s not to like? Here’s why fantasy football managers should be aggressively targeting the Cincinnati Bengals RB1 in 2026 fantasy drafts.
Should You Draft Bengals RB Chase Brown in Fantasy Football?
When the reports started to surface that the Bengals were going to give Brown a shot at the lead-back role in 2024, it was fair to be skeptical. A former fifth-round pick who spent five years at college, Brown doesn’t exactly have the profile of a typical lead back in the NFL.
After Brown completely seized control of the Bengals’ backfield over the second half of the 2024 season, at the very least, it was time to accept that RB1 Brown was possible. At the same time, we’ve seen Day 3 backs with better seasons than Brown fade into obscurity the following year. He was an expensive click in 2025 and far from a sure thing. We all know what happened next.
Admittedly, Brown wasn’t looking too great to start last season. From Weeks 1-7, he averaged 10.1 fantasy points per game. Anyone who burned a second-round pick on him was kicking themselves. Then, a switch flipped.
From Weeks 8-18, Brown averaged 21.2 PPG. If we put those numbers up against the full-season production of everyone else, Brown would’ve been the overall RB5.
Early in the season, the issue was Brown losing snaps to Samaje Perine. As a reminder, in 2024, Brown was playing 90% of the snaps for much of the season after Zack Moss got hurt. This was never the plan. No NFL team wants to have one running back on the field that much. Cincinnati did it out of necessity because they didn’t have anyone else.
Last season, they brought back Perine and had someone else. When Perine is healthy, Brown’s snap share dips. He averaged around a 60-65% snap share from Weeks 13-18. But it didn’t impact his production.
Brown still saw a 72% opportunity share. His 14.5% target share was seventh in the league. Brown has the volume. He has the passing game role. And he scored 11 touchdowns. He gets to play in an offense with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. He’s a good enough player in a great situation with excellent opportunity.
Brown’s Redraft Fantasy Football Value
For two consecutive seasons, Brown has posted RB1-caliber numbers (15.9 and 16.6 PPG). This year, he naturally comes with a top-12 price tag, going off the board as the RB11.
If Brown merely does what he’s done the past two years, he will be a fine pick at cost. But remember, he was an elite RB1 for the final 10 weeks of last year. We know that upside exists.
READ MORE: 2026 Controversial Fantasy Football Running Back Depth Charts: Who To Draft In These Confusing Rooms
Simply put, Brown is not being properly respected in 2026 fantasy drafts. He belongs at the 1/2 turn with the likes of Ashton Jeanty, Saquon Barkley, and James Cook. Yet, you can get him in the back half of Round 2. Sign me up.
Brown is my RB8, which is quite a meaningful difference this high up the board. I do not understand why he’s going behind Omarion Hampton and Kenneth Walker III. Both of their price tags require a ton of projection based on a level of performance we haven’t seen before. All Brown needs to do to outperform his ADP expectation is to do what he’s done for two straight seasons.
The Bengals trust Brown and you should, too. He is my favorite target in the second round of 2026 fantasy drafts.
Preseason Fantasy RB Rankings
- Bijan Robinson | ATL
- Jahmyr Gibbs | DET
- James Cook III | BUF
- Jonathan Taylor | IND
- Ashton Jeanty | LV
- Christian McCaffrey | SF
- Saquon Barkley | PHI
- Chase Brown | CIN
- De’Von Achane | MIA
- Derrick Henry | BAL
- Kenneth Walker III | KC
- Jeremiyah Love | ARI
- Omarion Hampton | LAC
- Javonte Williams | DAL
- Breece Hall | NYJ
- Kyren Williams | LAR
- D’Andre Swift | CHI
- Travis Etienne Jr. | NO
- Josh Jacobs | GB
- Cam Skattebo | NYG
- David Montgomery | HOU
- Bhayshul Tuten | JAX
- TreVeyon Henderson | NE
- Quinshon Judkins | CLE
- Jaylen Warren | PIT
- Bucky Irving | TB
- Jadarian Price | SEA
- Rhamondre Stevenson | NE
- Chuba Hubbard | CAR
- Kenny Gainwell | TB
- Tony Pollard | TEN
- Jordan Mason | MIN
- Rico Dowdle | PIT
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt | WAS
- Blake Corum | LAR
- RJ Harvey | DEN
- Kyle Monangai | CHI
- Rachaad White | WAS
- Chris Rodriguez Jr. | JAX
- Zach Charbonnet | SEA
- Aaron Jones Sr. | MIN
- Jonathon Brooks | CAR
- J.K. Dobbins | DEN
- Tyler Allgeier | ARI
- Tyrone Tracy Jr. | NYG
- Isiah Pacheco | DET
- Woody Marks | HOU
- Tyjae Spears | TEN
- Nick Singleton | TEN
- Brian Robinson Jr. | ATL
