Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up
Odds by

    Brown can benefit from potential offensive changes

    Link copied to clipboard!

    CIN Running Back #30
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. believes Bengals RB Chase Brown can benefit from the team’s potential playcalling changes in 2026.

    Dehner reports that the Bengals have rigorously practiced lining up under center in spring practices. He believes they will remain a shotgun-first team, but thinks they could improve on their 31st under-center ranking by more than 10 spots. Among the top-40 qualifiers from 2024-25, Brown averages 5.1 yards per carry (fourth) and a 12.3 percent explosive run play rate (third) on runs when QB Joe Burrow lines up under center. From shotgun formation, Brown averages 4.5 (24th) and 7.3 percent (22nd), respectively. Even a minimal increase in under-center snaps would benefit Brown. The Bengals believe TE Erick All’s (knee) return gives them the needed flexibility to do so. He is capable of motioning into the backfield as a fullback, and “setting the edge with vicious crack blocks and overall serving as a hammer in front of Brown in the run game.” Brown finished as the RB7 last year and is being drafted as the consensus RB10 in best ball. Beating that ADP seems plausible.
How does Mayfield compare to other starting QBs?
The Shipping Container puts Dave Dameshek on the spot, asking him which QB he'd take when comparing Baker Mayfield to Trevor Lawrence, Bo Nix, Caleb Williams, CJ Stroud and Brock Purdy.

Related Player News

  • CIN Tight End #83
    Personalize your Rotoworld feed by favoriting players
    Late in June, the Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. identified All as a key cog in the Bengals’ intended schematic switches this season. The team hopes to run more plays from under center while also increasing its play-action rate. It remains to be seen how much receiving involvement All will garner, but the team is very clearly excited about his blocking ability, both in-line and as a fullback. A pair of knee surgeries limited All’s availability through his two NFL seasons. If he can truly return to form, who’s to say he can’t be the Bengals’ long-term TE1? All recently told Dehner that getting hit by a three-wheeled truck in Greece this summer restored his confidence in his ability to take a hit. A modern-day odyssey.
  • CIN Running Back #30
    Brown was reported to be discussing an extension with the Bengals in January, but nothing came of that. Dehner believes the $14.3 million franchise tag number for running backs “speaks the Bengals’ language as they continue to work on a potential longer deal for him.” Brown, entering his age-26 season, remains a fringe fantasy RB1 in Cincinnati’s wide-open offense. It doesn’t seem like there’s any danger of a holdout or anything of the sort here.
  • CIN Wide Receiver
    Baby’s practice notes indicate that incumbent No. 3 WR Andrei Iosivas and No. 1 TE Mike Gesicki are the other two competitors for the role, and both players “had productive springs.” Pitcher also said RB Chase Brown “can sometimes be viewed as a slot receiver,” but those types of comments are common in the summer and rarely pan out in the fall. Iosivas and Gesicki have been helpful contributors, but the fact that the team is searching for an answer at the No. 3 receiving role is indicative of their ceilings. Pitcher believes Young is “going to fight and battle” this summer, and thinks there are things Young “can do quickly and help us.” If he can actually become the team’s third-most voluminous target earner, he could pay off as a late-round best ball pick.
  • CIN Tight End #83
    All missed the end of the 2024 season and the entire 2025 season with a pair of knee surgeries, one to clear out damage done from a surgery at Iowa, and another to repair a torn ACL. He enters the third year of his rookie contract as a deep, deep sleeper in fantasy leagues behind Mike Gesicki, but All did look pretty good in 2024 while healthy. He should at least give the Bengals some usable multi-TE set snaps if necessary.
  • CIN Running Back #30
    Brown had an uneven fantasy season as he was disastrous pre-Joe Flacco and the Bengals simply couldn’t get the ground game going, but came on strong in the second half of the season and wound up with a 69/437/5 receiving line. Entering his age-26 season and the final year of his rookie contract, an extension would seem to make sense given the Bengals don’t exactly have anyone waiting in the wings. 2025 sixth-rounder Tahj Brooks is the closest thing Cincinnati has to a prospect at the position, and he only managed 47 offensive snaps in his rookie season.
  • CIN Running Back #30
    Brown began the season in truly horrific fashion. Through five games, Brown had 160 yards on 65 carries, putting him at a pathetic 2.5 yards per attempt. Joe Burrow was hurt and Jake Browning was doing nothing to prevent defenses from stacking the box against Brown. Joe Flacco then took over and saved the fantasy seasons of every Bengal. From Week 6 onward, Brown averaged 71 yards per game at over five yards per carry. His receiving output also went through the roof. He caught six or more passes four times in his final nine outings, propelling him to a career-best receiving line of 69/437/5. A solid Week 18 on the ground also got him over 1,000 rushing yards on the year. Brown did lose some work to Samaje Perine in the second half of the season, but that rarely prevented him from getting home for fantasy purposes. While Brown ultimately needs to be in a good offensive environment to post usable fantasy numbers, he thrives when Joe Burrow (or even Joe Flacco) is under center. Brown enters the offseason as a clear RB1 fantasy option heading into a contract year.
  • CIN Running Back #30
    Brown is back at practice Friday after missing time earlier in the week with an illness. The 25-year-old running back is good to go for the matchup in Week 18 against the Browns. He needs just 53 yards rushing to have his first 1,000-yard rushing season of his career. Brown is an RB1 for managers playing their fantasy championship in Week 18.
  • CIN Running Back #30
    Brown missed yesterday’s practice as well. Were he to sit out in Week 18 against the Browns, it would likely mean RB Samaje Perine handles a sizable, fantasy-friendly workload. Bengals rookie RB Tahj Brooks could also take on some rushing work. Players typically play through illness, but we have seen a few sickness-related game-day absences as of late. Brown still has a chance to play. Stay tuned.
  • CIN Running Back #30
    Brown’s third 100-yard rushing effort of the season included his first multi-score day on the ground. Rather amazingly, Brown entered the proceedings with just four rushing touchdowns, though he had supplemented them with four aerial strikes. He also lost another score to Samaje Perine, but this was an exclamation point on a monster stretch run and fantasy playoff performance from the early-season disappointment. Brown will remain in the low-end RB1 mix heading into 2026.
  • CIN Running Back #30
    Fantasy managers felt a shiver go down their spine when Samaje Perine contributed the first Bengals backfield touchdown in Miami, but then Brown supplied the next three in a 45-21 blowout victory. The multi-score effort was his second in three weeks and third of the season. It featured some excellent route-running and after-the-catch ability, with Brown putting stalwart Dolphins LB Jordyn Brooks on skates twice. Perine has gotten much more involved over the past month, but it has somehow dented neither Brown’s usage floor nor overall ceiling. He’s been looking like the player fantasy managers thought they were drafting since Joe Burrow’s return. Brown has a Week 17 smash spot in the Cardinals, keeping him locked in as a top 10-15 fantasy back.

Rotoworld

  • SEA Wide Receiver #15
    Player Stats
    Personalize your Rotoworld feed by favoriting players
    Link copied to clipboard!

    The News Tribune’s Gregg Bell reports that the Seahawks are ramping up WR Tory Horton (shin) after a successful offseason surgery.

    The Seahawks shut Horton down after trading for WR Rashid Shaheed last year, citing a new shin injury. The trade came as a surprise. He and Shaheed possess similar skill sets, and Horton had already set two franchise records, so replacing him in the lineup due to poor play did not add up. Apparently, Horton played through discomfort in his shin for five games until the pain led to imaging, revealing a crack in his shin. Horton attempted to avoid surgery, but it was ultimately deemed necessary in February 2026, delaying his return. Bell adds that the coaching staff is “excited and curious to unleash” Horton and Shaheed in the same formations, “challenging the deep coverage of defenses.” Stressing the defense vertically should open up the short-to-intermediate areas of the field as well. Shaheed will likely be the more reliable boom-bust FLEX and could even ascend to WR3 status, but it is nice to know that the coaching staff still views Horton positively after the surprising in-season trade last year.
  • ARI Defensive Tackle #93
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Cardinals signed DT Brodric Martin, formerly of the Raiders.

    While we are happy for Martin, we can’t help but wonder if this is related to the apparent left knee injury DT Walter Nolen appeared to suffer at today’s practice. Hopefully, the Cardinals are just playing it safe. Martin entered the NFL as a 2023 third-round pick with the Lions.
  • LA Defensive Tackle #99
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Speaking to ESPN’s Sarah Barshop about former Rams DT Aaron Donald’s potential return, coach Sean McVay said his “arrow” is “trending upward.”

    We assume this means Donald’s football workouts are going well. McVay adds that he does not expect to hear from Donald until the Rams return to the team facility in Woodland Hills after training camp. They are currently practicing at Loyola Marymount University. According to the team site, the last public training camp practice is scheduled for August 6th. It sounds like we might get an update on Donald in a week or two.
  • NO Wide Receiver #0
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    New Orleans Football’s Mike Triplett reports that Saints WR Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) is participating fully at training camp.

    A “significant” hamstring injury prevented Tyson from participating in the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. He then remained limited throughout spring practices after the Saints drafted him in April. Earlier this week, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis revealed that Tyson had suffered “a small recurrence during the pre-draft process,” which explains his springtime limitations. The injury is now behind Tyson, and he has been practicing with the first-team offense since the Saints took the practice field on Wednesday. His new personal chef, a hyperbaric chamber and a recovery room are all part of his plan to maintain good health moving forward. Saints QB Tyler Shough notably complimented Tyson’s preparation and desire to improve. Tyson is slated to operate as the Saints’ WR2 while returning WR3 value or better in fantasy this season.
  • WAS Wide Receiver #13
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Last Man Standig’s Ben Standig reports that Commanders WR Treylon Burks (foot soreness) sat out Thursday’s “on-field work.”

    Commanders coach Dan Quinn also said the team doesn’t see the soreness as a long-term issue, but it is a disappointing follow-up to what was reportedly a strong showing for Burks at the first training camp practice. The Commanders have a very thin wide receiver corps, so every injury matters. Hopefully, Burks is back before long.
  • FA Running Back #25
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Colts hosted RB Kenny McIntosh for a workout on Friday.

    The Colts also hosted RB Marcus Major for a workout today. McIntosh suffered a torn ACL in July 2025 and was recently waived by the Seahawks.
  • ARI Defensive Lineman #97
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Cardinals DL Walter Nolen left practice early on Friday after suffering an apparent knee injury.

    This is a bummer. A torn meniscus in his left knee ended Nolen’s 2025 rookie season. Multiple beat reporters say Nolen appeared to injure his left knee today. He had been drawing positive reviews in training camp thus far. Hopefully, this is only a short-term injury.
  • Link copied to clipboard!

    The Athletic’s Jesse Newell believes Chiefs WR Andrew Armstrong “appears” to have a chance to make the final roster.

    This isn’t exactly breaking news, but it is always worth keeping track of the players who might have a chance to catch passes from QB Patrick Mahomes. Newell compares Armstrong to WR Tyquan Thornton, who signed with the Chiefs in November 2024 before earning Mahomes’ trust the following offseason. Armstrong has spent the entire offseason training with the Chiefs and was allowed to take “numerous” first-team reps on Thursday. In his 2024 senior season at Arkansas, Armstrong (6'4/202) led the SEC in catches (78), receiving yards (1,140) and receiving yards per game (103.6). Newell believes “it would be an underdog tale if he makes the team,” so set your expectations accordingly, but feel free to track his progress this summer.
  • ARI Running Back #4
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur said, “not one running back can take all 65 snaps” in a game.

    Regarding running backs who play “all 65 snaps,” LaFleur says that he has “seen that story when guys are a little bit overloaded,” it hurts them either in the short- or long-term. Fortunately for all involved, not even 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey plays on 100 percent of snaps. He handled 81.6 percent last year, which is extremely high. This is a bit of a straw man argument from LaFleur, who ultimately concluded his comments by saying he wants to keep his running backs fresh and healthy for 17 games. That makes sense, but when a player is taken with the No. 3 overall pick, like RB Jeremiyah Love, we should expect them to eventually settle into a workload in which they are playing on a comfortable majority of snaps. The Cardinals’ coaching staff is seemingly intent on keeping Love’s ADP in check. We’ll take it.
  • Link copied to clipboard!

    Cardinals signed CB Quinton Newsome, formerly of the Broncos.

    Newsome had a tryout with the Cardinals earlier in the week. He spent 2024-25 as a practice squad player with the Broncos. The Cardinals correspondingly placed CB Jaden Davis on injured reserve.