Fantasy Football Player Notes

This Bengals offense could look very different in 2024, but one thing remains certain.
Ja'Marr Chase is going to be the focal point. He finished with an impressive stat line: 100 receptions (career-high) on 145 targets (26% target share), amassing 1,216 yards at an average of 12.2 yards per catch. Chase scored 7 touchdowns while ranking top-10 in red zone targets. Over 16 games, he totaled 212.7 fantasy points, averaging a strong 13.3 points per game (WR13). But we all know Chase left production on the table without his healthy star QB. Weeks 1-10 with Joe Burrow, Chase averaged 16.2 points per game (6th) and 19.6 expected points per game (fifth).

Tee Higgins recorded 42 receptions from 76 targets, covering 656 yards with a notable average of 15.6 yards per reception. Demonstrating his big-play ability, Higgins had 14 receptions of 20+ yards to go along with a team-high 37% air yards share (17th) on just an 18% target share. He scored 5 touchdowns. Playing in 12 games, Higgins accumulated 116.6 fantasy points, averaging 9.7 points per game (WR40). He dealt with injuries throughout the season and failed to finish as a fantasy WR2 for the first time in the last three seasons. Ergo, 2023 stands out like a complete outlier for the 25-year-old WR, who will likely play for the Bengals for one more season after being franchise-tagged. The command of air yards shows that Higgins is still a dominant downfield receiver, as are the 4 games where he scored 20-plus fantasy points.

If Joe Burrow gets a full season of good health in 2024, he'll likely be one of the more valuable fantasy assets at the QB position. The 2023 season was a frustrating one for Burrow, who got off to a slow start due in part to a calf injury he sustained in training camp, then went on injured reserve in mid-November with a wrist injury. Four games into the 2023 season, with his ailing calf clearly hindering his mobility and perhaps his throwing mechanics, Burrow was QB31 in fantasy scoring averaging 8.4 fantasy points per game. Then he caught fire, averaging 296.0 yards and 2.4 TD passes over a five-game stretch from Week 5 to Week 10 in which he was QB4 in fantasy points per game. That's the Burrow we hope to see in 2024 if his health cooperates. He'll once again get to work with his longtime LSU and Bengals teammate Ja'Marr Chase, one of the finest wide receivers in the game, not to mention high-quality No. 2 receiver Tee Higgins.

Moss parlayed his starting stint last year with the Colts into a possible starting gig with the Bengals. In the seven games he started and played at least 50% of the snaps, he finished with 21.1 touches and 98.5 total yards per game. Moss should handle the early downs in Cincinnati this season after ranking 15th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 18th in yards after contact per attempt last year (per Fantasy Points Data). Chase Brown could eat into his pass game work as Moss was only 41st in yards per route run and 48th in targets per route run. Even if his passing game usage is capped, being the early down back on one of the league's best offenses still puts him in the RB2/3 conversation.

We'll see if the rumors that Joe Mixon will be cut become a reality, but for now, Chase Brown remains a high-end handcuff bet for 2024. Brown was impressive on a per-touch basis last season, although the sample size is pretty limited (44 carries). Among 77 backs with at least 40 carries, Brown ranked 12th in yards after contact per attempt and 16th in missed tackles forced per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Brown likely won't be given the job even if Mixon is cut, but that doesn't mean he couldn't win it in camp this year. Brown is a player to get exposure with during early best balls, as his ADP could vary widely depending on how the next few weeks play out.

Jermaine Burton's collegiate career took a notable turn during his senior year at Alabama, achieving a 30% dominator rating at 22 years old. Initially at Georgia, Burton showed promise, posting a 19% dominator rating in his first year at Alabama with 677 yards and 7 TDs, after a competitive stint at Georgia where he battled for targets with players like George Pickens and Brock Bowers. His standout traits include a significant downfield role, evidenced by a 20.2 average depth of target (aDOT) - third highest in the FBS in 2023 - and excellent efficiency, leading all WRs in the 2024 class in yards per route run with zero drops. Drafted by the Bengals in the third round, Burton is poised for a rising stock, especially with speculation around Tee Higgins' future with the team. Despite concerns over occasional off-field issues, Burton's explosive skill set and the opportunity in Cincinnati's passing game could make him a key player to watch, assuming he navigates his professional landscape effectively.