Fantasy Football Player Notes
2026 Draft Rankings
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2.
Ja'Marr Chase
WR - (vs . CLE)
Ja'Marr Chase had another stellar season last year. He was the WR3 in fantasy points per game while finishing sixth in red zone targets and 18th in deep targets (tied). Again this season, Chase will lead an offense that will live and die by their passing game. Last year, Cincy was third in neutral passing rate and fifth in red zone passing rate. I don't see either of those numbers changing much in 2026 with Joe Burrow back under center. Last year, Chase remained a volume and efficiency monster, ranking third in target share (30.2%) and receiving yards per game (88.3), 18th in yards per route run (2.30), 14th in first downs per route run (0.119), and third in first-read share (40.3%, per Fantasy Points Data). Among 109 qualifying receivers, he was ninth in separation score and 23rd in route win rate. Chase has WR1 overall upside again this season.
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17.
Chase Brown
RB - (vs . CLE)
Last year, Chase Brown started slowly as the RB34 in fantasy points per game in Weeks 1-5. After that point, he was exactly who fantasy gamers thought they were drafting as the RB6 in fantasy points per game. In Weeks 6-18, among 48 qualifying backs, he ranked 17th in explosive run rate, fifth in yards after contact per attempt, and 16th in missed tackles forced per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). During that span, he averaged 18.2 touches and 100.1 total yards. Brown had to deal with Samaje Perine eating into his workload during Weeks 13-18, but it didn't capsize his production. During that stretch, while he did play 60.5% of the snaps and 71.6% of the snaps in the red zone, he did have 17 red zone carries versus Perine's 13. If Brown can capture more of the red zone work in 2026, his ceiling and floor will be raised considerably from a week-to-week and season-long perspective. Brown is a solid RB1 with top-five upside this season.
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34.
Tee Higgins
WR - (vs . CLE)
Over the last two seasons, Tee Higgins has been the WR13 and WR5 in fantasy points per game. Last season, with Joe Burrow under center in Weeks 14-18, Higgins had an 18.8% target share with 67.8 receiving yards per game, 2.20 yards per route run, a 25.6% first-read share, and 0.106 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Those are all incredibly impressive per-route metrics. For context, if Higgins had kept up that pace for an entire season with Burrow, he would have ranked 12th in receiving yards per game, 19th in yards per route run, 28th in first-read share, and 17th in first downs per route run among wideouts (minimum 200 routes). Higgins is a strong bet for fantasy again this season. If Joe Burrow can stay healthy this season, Higgins should be a locked-in top-15 wideout with WR1 upside again.
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42.
Joe Burrow
QB - (vs . CLE)
Once Joe Burrow returned to the huddle last year, he was the same stud quarterback that we have come to love in fantasy as the QB5 in fantasy points per game. During that stretch (Weeks 13-18), Burrow was 11th in CPOE, third in passing yards per game, second in highly accurate throw rate, and fourth in hero throw rate (per Fantasy Points Data). With Burrow back under center, Cincy was fourth in neutral passing rate and seventh in neutral pace. I expect the Bengals to be a fast-paced, pass-happy offense again in 2026. Burrow is a rock-solid QB1 with top-3 upside with two stud wide receivers to lean on weekly.
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225.
Evan McPherson
K - (vs . CLE)
Evan McPherson is tied to one of the best offenses in the NFL. Cincy should have no issues moving the ball this year if Joe Burrow stays healthy. Their improved defense could allow McPherson some short fields for field goal opportunities. Last year, McPherson was 12th in field goal % made.
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246.
Samaje Perine
RB - (vs . CLE)
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289.
Andrei Iosivas
WR - (vs . CLE)
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290.
Mike Gesicki
TE - (vs . CLE)
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310.
Tahj Brooks
RB - (vs . CLE)
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349.
Erick All Jr.
TE - (vs . CLE)
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379.
Cincinnati Bengals
DST - (vs . CLE)
The Bengals were a wretched defense last year (second-worst in fantasy points per game), but I think they take a massive leap in 2026 with all of their offseason additions. This offseason, they added via trades, free agency, and the NFL Draft Boye Mafe, Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, Bryan Cook, and Cashius Howell. D.J. Turner remains one of the best shadow corners in the NFL. If the defense comes together like I think it can, they can easily be a top ten fantasy defense for 2026.
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385.
Colbie Young
WR - (vs . CLE)
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399.
Joe Flacco
QB - (vs . CLE)
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451.
Dohnte Meyers
WR - (vs . CLE)
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559.
Mitch Tinsley
WR - (vs . CLE)
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567.
Drew Sample
TE - (vs . CLE)
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570.
Tanner Hudson
TE - (vs . CLE)
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617.
Kendall Milton
RB - (vs . CLE)
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633.
Jack Endries
TE - (vs . CLE)
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