Running Back · Cincinnati Bengals
Chase Brown — 2026 Fantasy Outlook
Analysis by Shawn Childs, from his 2026 guide — his words, unedited.
The case
- · Brown plays in the right offense to offer three-down value, but the Bengals scored only 12, 11, and 11 rushing touchdowns over the past three seasons.
- · Cincinnati’s top back lacked explosiveness over the past two seasons with starting touches (4.4 yards per carry and 6.5 yards per catch, with 18 of his 584 chances gaining 20 yards or more).
- · He struggled over his first seven games (9.77 PPR fantasy points per game) in 2025 with Joe Burrow injured.
- · Brown was a much better player over his final 10 starts (147/709/5 – 4.8 yards per carry with 47 catches for 343 yards and five scores). He averaged 19.4 touches over this span.
- · Comes off a career high in touches (301), rushing yards (1,019), catches (69), and receiving yards (437).
Question marks
- · Can the Bengals’ core players stay healthy for a whole season? If so, their RBs and WRs should score impact fantasy points.
- · Over the past four years, Brown had 355 touches (college over 12 games), 56 (backup player), 283, and 301. Does he fit the profile of a high-volume running back?
- · Will Cincinnati score more on the ground?
- · Brown scored over 20.00 PPR fantasy points in only three games last year, two of which came in Week 16 (32.90) and Week 17 (29.10).
Shawn's conclusion
Brown can’t match the pedigree of many of the top 12 running backs drafted in 2026, but he plays in an offense that could rank first in the NFL if somehow everyone stayed healthy. Cincinnati scored 55 touchdowns in 2024, with Joe Burrow throwing the ball 652 times. Their top back will be active again in 2026 while ranking 10th (256.00) and 7th (283.40) in PPR scoring over the past two years. The bet on Chase is more on the Bengals’ offense than his perceived fantasy value/opportunity.
More on Brown
Brown's first two seasons in Cincinnati told a familiar story of a young back working his way into a role, then seizing it once the opportunity arrived.
His rookie year was mostly quiet. The Bengals barely used him over the first 11 games (13 combined yards and three catches), with a hamstring injury adding to his limited involvement. He showed flashes late in the year (a nine-catch, 61-yard game in Week 13 and 105 combined yards with a touchdown in Week 14) before fading over the final three games (18/64 and five catches for 41 yards).
Year two started slowly again. Cincinnati handed the lead back role to Zack Moss through the first three games, leaving Brown with just 123 combined yards and five catches on 19 touches. A Week 4 breakout (15/80/2 with two catches for 12 yards) hinted at what was coming, and from Week 9 through Week 17, he became one of the most productive backs in the league (averaging 23.6 touches per game over eight weeks, totaling 930 combined yards, six touchdowns, and 38 catches at 20.88 FPPG). An ankle injury cost him Week 18 and left the season on a frustrating note.
The bigger picture was encouraging. Brown finished 10th in PPR scoring (256.00) for running backs, cracked 11.00 fantasy points in 12 of his final 13 games, and showed the three-down versatility that gives him a high floor going forward.
Over the first seven games last season, the fantasy market thought they had made an investment mistake by drafting Brown. He averaged 9.77 fantasy points per game in PPR formats on 15.3 touches. His running back ranking improved weekly over his final 10 starts (147/709/5 – 4.8 yards per carry with 47 catches for 343 yards and five touchdowns). Brown averaged 21.22 fantasy points per game over this span, moving him to RB7 for the year. His best success in fantasy points came in the more important weeks of the year (Week 16 – 32.90 and Week 17 – 29.10). The Bengals gave him 19.4 touches per week over this span.
The Bengals don’t have a standout handcuff, which almost ensures another active role and season for Brown in 2026. His high-floor catching the ball (69/437/5) set his floor, but he can’t reach difference-maker status without scoring more touchdowns or making bigger plays. His base outlook is 300+ touches, with 1,500 combined yards, double-digit scoring, and over 60 catches. Health by all key offensive parties in Cinci invites an untapped gear, especially if the Bengals have a favorable schedule late in the season, when championships are won.
Get Shawn's full 2026 Draft Kit — free
Every breakdown like this one, plus his tiers, the top-200 cheat sheet, and how his 2025 season actually graded out. One email, instant download.