Chase Brown vs George Pickens

“Top-12 Drafted RBs in 2025 RB 2025 ADP 2024 Finish 2025 Games Played Bijan Robinson RB1 RB3 17 Saquon Barkley RB2 RB13 16 Jahmyr Gibbs RB3 RB4 17 Christian McCaffrey RB4 RB1 17 Derrick Henry RB5 RB7 17 Ashton Jeanty RB6 RB12 17 Josh Jacobs RB7 RB15 15 De’Von Achane RB8 RB6 16 Jonathan Taylor RB9 RB2 17 Bucky Irving RB10 RB33 10 Chase Brown RB11 RB8 17 Kyren Williams RB12 RB9 17 2025 RB Health Last season, nine out of 12 top RBs drafted finished as an RB1, resulting in a mostly chalky season at the top for RBs.”

“Fantasy Football Trends to Know Chase Brown (RB – CIN) Unfortunately, the Bengals’ offense fell apart when Joe Burrow suffered a turf toe injury early in the year. Thankfully, it improved after the team traded for Joe Flacco .”

“If the Bengals do have any spike in rushing scores, that is more fire to a surging Chase Brown this summer. Brown played 73.9% of the snaps in the red zone, which was RB5 on the season.”

“Still, Brown may be one of the few backs who can finish in the top five this season.”

“Round 2: Chase Brown (RB – CIN) Chase Brown was the counter-pick, viewed internally as a true first-round talent despite a far lower market price. The comparison drawn is directly to James Cook : all it takes is the offense clicking and staying healthy for Chase Brown to replicate what Buffalo got out of Cook two seasons ago.”

“Let's say you spend an early draft pick on Chase Brown. Some fantasy managers believe that if you draft Brown, you should also draft his primary backup, Samaje Perine. But Perine has no stand-alone value and would be nothing more than an insurance policy—and probably a bad one, since Perine would have a hard time matching Brown's numbers even if he inherited Brown's volume.”

“With all the changes this offseason, one thing has remained consistent: Chase Brown is their lead back. On a flailing Bengals team last season, Brown finished as the fantasy RB8. Currently being drafted as the RB10, there is plenty of upside.”

“One of my concerns for rostering Chase Brown was, "are they going to add another running back?" The concerns were squashed when they didn't add anyone through free agency or the draft. With the backfield all to himself, Brown feels like an extremely safe pick. From Week 6 on, Brown was the RB7, averaging 17.3 FPPG and 100 total yards per game.”

“Chase Brown proved he was far more than just an early-down runner in 2025. His 0.23 Targets Per Route Run ranked seventh among all running backs, placing him alongside elite receiving backs like Jahmyr Gibbs, De'Von Achane, Christian McCaffrey, and Bijan Robinson.”

“Brown has been a revelation ever since emerging from his quiet rookie season. After handling just 58 touches with one touchdown in 2023, he has scored 22 touchdowns across the past two seasons. Brown finished inside the top 10 in target share among running backs last season, which is impressive enough considering he has Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to compete against for targets.”

“We already know that Joe Burrow has eyes for Chase/Higgins/Chase Brown, and everything leftover goes to Mike Gesicki.”

“Chase Brown possesses explosive traits, though he is an incumbent Bengals starter with the team already having younger talent in the backfield.”

“Dallas will have a tough dilemma if franchised WR George Pickens has a Pro Bowl season and Overshown remains healthy.”

“Pickens proved last year that all he needed was competent quarterback play to prove he can be an elite wide receiver in the league. After being stuck with Kenny Pickett, Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, and Mason Rudolph, fantasy managers were blessed to witness a fully unlocked Pickens in 2025.”

“George Pickens had a monster first year with the Cowboys, catching 93 passes for 1,429 yards.”

“Pickens had a breakout season in his first year with the Cowboys, finishing as the WR5, averaging 17.2 PPR fantasy points per game. He averaged 8.7 targets and 26.3 fantasy points per game with CeeDee Lamb sidelined, but averaged 7.9 targets and 15.2 with Lamb playing.”

“Last year I made the case that George Pickens projected very similarly to Tee Higgins despite a two-round ADP discount. I'd maintain that they project similarly again in 2026, albeit with their ADPs in reverse order.”

“George Pickens sparked one of the more interesting debates because the talent is obvious, but fantasy consistency has not always followed. The conversation leaned into the upside attached to his skill set while also recognizing that week-to-week reliability can still fluctuate. That tension is what makes Pickens such a fascinating fantasy player.”

“George Pickens receiving TDs Over 4.5 -110 MGM (1 unit)”

“George Pickens is the quintessential dynasty sell-high candidate after a 1,429-yard breakout season that culminated in him signing a $27.3 million franchise tag for 2026. While he proved he can thrive as a high-end target next to CeeDee Lamb, the breakdown in long-term contract negotiations suggests the Cowboys are hesitant to commit to his volatility beyond this season.”

“They did trade for Rashan Gary and kept George Pickens around with the franchise tag, though they still need to work out a long-term deal.”

“Every tagged player from 2026 had already done so with the exception of George Pickens and the Cowboys . To no surprise, the deadline passed without an agreement being reached .”

“George Pickens signed the franchise tag and reportedly has no plans to skip training camp at the end of the month.”

“There was some drama involving Pickens, whom the Cowboys did not lock up for the long haul. They instead slapped the former Steeler with the franchise tag in late February. Although the Cowboys have publicly ruled out an extension by the July 15 deadline, Pickens will report to training camp and play for $27.3MM. He should have plenty of motivation in his second consecutive platform season.”