Fifth-round pick Brown figures to joust for a spot on the Bengals depth chart in training camp this summer. The former Illinois lead rusher is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with 41 total grabs. He averaged at least 5.0 yards per carry in each of five seasons of college football. He's a compact, physical back with good vision and cuts, and he also made strides in his receiving and blocking ability. He's a little on the older side at 23 (less than four years younger than Joe Mixon) but seems capable of being a decent player. Drafting Brown in seasonal formats isn't advised unless it's crystal clear he's the backup to Mixon. He's more of a top-25 pick in rookie-only drafts and a late-round flier in keeper leagues.
Brown played one offensive snap in Sunday's loss to the Ravens and had one carry for two yards.
Brown also played seven snaps on special teams. He was active after sitting out the Week 1 loss to the Browns thanks to Chris Evans (hamstring) being sidelined, but Brown is also currently behind Trayveon Williams in the pecking order at running back.
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Bengals' Chase Brown: Will make debut
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Brown is active Sunday against the Ravens, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
Brown was a healthy scratch Week 1, but with No. 3 running back Chris Evans (hamstring) inactive, the Illinois product will get the chance to operate in that role Sunday.
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Bengals' Chase Brown: Won't debut Week 1
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Brown (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against the Browns.
A rookie fifth-round pick, Brown had an underwhelming preseason but still landed a spot on the Bengals' 53-man roster. However, it appears the Illinois product is still buried on the depth chart, as Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans will operate as the primary backups to Joe Mixon in Week 1.
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Bengals' Chase Brown: Looking good for roster spot
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Brown had 11 carries for 39 yards and two catches for a loss of one yard in Saturday's 21-19 preseason loss to the Commanders.
Th Bengals didn't have Joe Mixon (rest), Chris Evans (undisclosed) or Trayveon Williams (ankle), leaving Brown to make the start and dominate playing time early in the game with the second-team offense. Cincinnati then turned things over to undrafted rookies Jacob Saylors and Calvin Tyler, neither of whom did anything to unseat Brown, a fifth-round pick. Reports suggest Evans is the favorite to spell Mixon on third downs, but Brown at least appears in good position for a roster spot heading into Week 1 at Cleveland.
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Bengals' Chase Brown: Struggles rushing in debut
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Brown rushed eight times for 12 yards and caught all three of his targets for 33 yards in Friday's 36-19 preseason loss to the Packers.
Brown came into the game after Chris Evans, who was far more effective on the ground (seven carries, 49 yards). The rookie fifth-round pick salvaged his debut with a decent performance as a pass catcher, but Brown appears to be trailing Evans in the competition for the No. 2 spot on the running back depth chart behind Joe Mixon. Trayveon Williams (ankle) is also in the mix despite sitting this game out, and all three will have a chance to improve their standing in the team's next preseason game, Aug. 18 at Atlanta.
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Bengals' Chase Brown: Added to Cincinnati backfield
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The Bengals selected Brown in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 163rd overall.
Brown (5-foot-10, 209 pounds) took mammoth workloads at Illinois but on that frame probably can't take up a workhorse role for more than a few games at a time at the NFL level. He should still emerge as fantasy-relevant at some point in the next couple years, though, because he clearly possesses above-average athleticism and no worse than an average skill set. That Brown's production at Illinois was mostly driven by volume could be an indication that he lacks upside in terms of skill, but he's adept at passing down functions and can credibly compete for a variety of tasks. Throw in a 4.43-second 40, 40-inch vertical and 127-inch broad jump and Brown's broader prospect profile still tilts toward above average sooner than the contrary. As much as Brown won't be challenging Joe Mixon as the Bengals' starting running back, expect him to do well with whatever opportunities he gets, and he could quickly move past Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans on the depth chart.
