Fantasy football trade markets reveal the most coveted players, and one name dominates Cincinnati Bengals discussions in Week 2.
Chase Brown has become fantasy football’s most wanted commodity, appearing in 62% of trade offers, according to PFSN’s Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, as managers scramble to acquire the third-year back who transformed from depth piece to elite fantasy asset.
What Makes Chase Brown Such a Hot Trade Target?
Brown’s meteoric rise stems from pure volume and opportunity within one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses. After taking over Cincinnati’s backfield in Week 9 of last season, he delivered consistent fantasy production that few running backs can match in today’s committee-heavy landscape.
The numbers tell a compelling story. Since assuming the lead role, Brown cleared 13 PPR points in every single game and exceeded 22 points in four of nine contests. His 2024 campaign featured 990 rushing yards on 229 carries with seven touchdowns, plus 54 receptions for 360 yards and four receiving scores. That dual-threat ability ranks him among just four running backs last season with 200 carries, 50 catches, and 10 touchdowns.
Cincinnati’s offensive coordinator, Dan Pitcher, considers Brown a “top 10 back in the league” and restructured the run game specifically around his skill set. The 5’10”, 210-pound back from Illinois offers speed, balance, and elusiveness that perfectly complements Joe Burrow’s aerial attack.
Volume Speaks Louder Than Efficiency for Bengals’ Dual-Threat Weapon
Week 1 against Cleveland illustrated exactly why Brown commands such high trade value despite an underwhelming statistical debut. He carried the ball 21 times for 43 yards and one touchdown, adding two receptions for eight yards in Cincinnati’s 17-16 victory. The 2.0 yards per carry average looks concerning, but the workload tells the real story.
Brown handled every single running back carry for the Bengals and finished second league-wide with 23 touches, trailing only Christian McCaffrey. His monopoly on backfield touches demonstrates Cincinnati’s complete trust in their second-year back, even when facing a stout Cleveland defense that historically gives him trouble.
Between Weeks 9-17 last season, Brown averaged 23.6 touches per game while accumulating 930 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns. That level of guaranteed volume makes him nearly matchup-proof, especially within an offense featuring Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. His PPR upside particularly appeals to managers, as his 54 receptions ranked fifth among all running backs last season.
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Brown’s locked-in role as Cincinnati’s workhorse back, combined with an elite supporting cast and offensive system designed around his strengths, explains why PFSN users overwhelmingly target him in trades.
Sometimes in fantasy football, volume and opportunity matter more than immediate efficiency, and few players offer more guaranteed touches than Cincinnati’s rising star.
