Coming into the 2024 season, Chase Brown had just 44 carries as a rookie in 2023, but the second-year back exploded onto the scene when thrusted into a starting role when needed. Last year, free agent signee Zack Moss was named the team’s starter to begin the season and Brown only totaled 14 carries in the team’s first three games, but when Moss was placed on injured reserve in early November, Brown took over.
Making the most of his opportunity, Brown established himself as a rising young running back in the NFL, with his biggest performance coming in a Week 9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders when he totaled 120 rushing yards on 27 carries, and added 5 receptions, with 37 yards, and a touchdown. Brown would finish his sophomore season with 990 rushing yards, 360 receiving yards, and 12 total touchdowns. Brown’s breakout season would come to an end in Week 17 when he suffered an ankle injury that caused him to miss the regular season finale.
Despite a very strong year that surprised many, Brown appears to still be getting overlooked coming into the 2025 season, finding himself at a low position in a running backs rankings list. Recently, Pro Football Focus released their top 32 running backs, and Brown came in at No. 25, a spot that sees him ranked behind two incoming rookies, Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton. Here’s what PFF had to say about Brown being placed at No. 25:
“Brown earned a 73.8 PFF rushing grade and a 76.6 PFF receiving grade last season to give him three-down value for the Bengals. That combination of skill helped him produce the 16th-highest PFF WAR mark among running backs in 2024.” (PFF.com)
Brown now figures to be the lead back in Cincinnati, and the team did spend a sixth-round pick on Tahj Brooks to bolster the depth behind him, Moss, and veteran Samaje Perine who is now in his third stint with the organization.
