Huddle Up: It is clear from Taylor's quote that Burton's rookie season bothered the coach in a big way. Burton entered with concerns about his maturity and did little to disprove them in 2024, as he reportedly arrived late to meetings, no-showed practice and was evicted from his apartment. A focused Burton would certainly be worth a roster spot in most fantasy leagues and make an already-dynamic passing game almost unstoppable, so managers would be wise to monitor practice reports about his progress this summer.

Huddle Up: Brooks may have a chance to compete with Zack Moss for the No. 2 running back job, so fantasy players can keep an eye on his status during training camp. He could be a possible late round option in some deeper leagues.

Huddle Up: Iosivas seems to be pleased with the transition in part because he hasn't seen a dip in his ability to run or jump. There is no question that a stronger Iosivas could be in line for another big jump in 2025 if he can maintain his athleticism, although this ceiling will be capped for as long as Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins stay healthy.

Huddle Up: Gesicki will be the No. 3 option in the passing game behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but that was true last year when he managed 665 yards on 65 receptions. Gesicki should be a low-end TE1 in most formats.

Huddle Up: Chase won the receiving Triple Crown in 2024, cementing his place as the best receiver in the NFL at the moment. The fourth-year pro holds a career average of 87.5 receiving yards per game - the second-highest rate in league history - and just turned 25 at the beginning of the month, so it is possible he is just now entering his prime. Chase will likely be (and rightfully so) the 1.01 in many fantasy drafts this spring and summer.

Huddle Up: After being hit with the franchise tag for the second year in a row, Higgins finally has a long-term deal in place. Although he may have been able to produce bigger numbers had he gone elsewhere to be the unquestioned go-to option, sticking in Cincinnati ensures that Higgins will be a reliable WR2 who can deliver some WR1 performances.

Huddle Up: Chase is coming off a year when he won the receiving triple crown, and he is now locked in alongside Joe Burrow for the foreseeable future.

Huddle Up: Chase is reportedly closing in on a long-term deal that will pay him around $40 million per season, while Higgins is said to be nearing a pact that will pay him around $28 million per season. Higgins was the team's franchise player, so there is theoretically more of a rush to get his deal done because there is a deadline (July 15) to do so. Assuming both players stay in Cincinnati, Chase will be considered the 1.01 in many fantasy drafts this summer, while Higgins should remain a strong WR2 option.

Huddle Up: Gesicki had 665 receiving yards and caught two touchdown passes in 2024 as part of one of the more productive offensive units in the NFL. He can be viewed as a low-end TE1 option in deeper fantasy leagues.

Huddle Up: The Bengals are looking to keep both Chase and Tee Higgins, so the contract talks may take some time. Chase will be playing for the Bengals for at least one more season and will be a must-start option in all leagues next season if he is healthy.

Huddle Up: Iosivas notably caught six red zone touchdowns in 2024 but was unable to adequately replace Tee Higgins' production when the latter was sidelined with injuries. With that said, Iosivas has already performed better than most sixth-round receivers and was always more likely to need more time to develop after playing his college ball at Princeton. Iosivas is not quite viable yet for fantasy purposes in most leagues, but he should be expected to take another leap forward in 2025.

Huddle Up: While the team hopes to get a long-term deal done, there's still the slight opportunity for a tag-and-trade situation. Higgins was the WR17 last season but was the WR3 overall in points per game. Regardless of where he ends up, Higgins should be viewed as a solid top-24 option at the position with some injury risk.

Huddle Up: Gesicki posted 665 receiving yards and two touchdowns this season and was targeted at least five times in eight games this past season. He will be part of one of the better offenses in the NFL if he stays with the Bengals and could be a low-end No. 1 tight end in some leagues.

Huddle Up: This was largely expected, but it is a bit unusual to hear from a front-office exec before a contract has been agreed upon. The highest-paid non-quarterback in the league at the moment is former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson, who received over $88 million guaranteed as part of a four-year contract worth $140 million last year ($35 million average). Coming off a triple-crown season in 2024, it would not be a surprise if Chase does a similar deal in length to Jefferson worth nearly $150 million.

Huddle Up: Higgins is coming off a year when he had 10 touchdown catches in 12 games while sharing targets with Ja'Marr Chase. The Bengals are expected to use the franchise tag on Higgins, so he should remain the No. 2 option in a powerful offense. A WR2 campaign seems like his floor.

Huddle Up: Chase was the WR1 in all of fantasy last year with a 127-1,708-17 season. With such a campaign under his belt, he has set the bar really high. Does he have the talent to repeat it? Absolutely. Is it likely? Probably not. He won't last beyond the top three WRs in drafts, though.

Huddle Up: It's unlikely the Bengals will let Higgins hit the open market so this is the expected move. Tagging Higgins for a second consecutive season still allows Cincinnati to get a long-term deal done or go through with a tag-and-trade scenario. Higgins was the WR17 last season but was the WR3 in points per game. He should be viewed as a WR2 option with some injury risk regardless of where he lands.

Huddle Up: Higgins was the WR17 in PPR leagues last year, and he should be viewed as a WR2 in fantasy wherever he plays next year. There are some concerns, though. He played in just 12 games for the second straight year last year and has never been the alpha of the receiving corps. His career high is 1,091 receiving yards way back in 2021. He'll have a major "buyer beware" sign on him come draft day, but the results have been there when he's on the field.

Huddle Up: Higgins has been productive in Cincinnati as the running mate of Ja'Marr Chase, but there will likely be several teams that target Higgins to be their new No. 1 option. He figures to be at least WR2 no matter where he suits up, but he could have WR1 upside in the right situation.

Huddle Up: Burrow was the QB2 in fantasy this season, and there's a chance that could take a hit if Tee Higgins walks this offseason. Either way, provided he stays healthy, he'll be a top-four option at the position.

Huddle Up: Chase has been one of the top receivers in the NFL over the last few seasons should become one of the highest paid receivers if the two sides can reach an agreement. He is a must-start option in all fantasy leagues when he is on the field.

Huddle Up: Tobin did not hold back on his assessment of Burton's rookie season, acknowledging that the Bengals knew they were taking a risk when they drafted him but suggesting that the 2024 third-round draft pick needs to be much more accountable for his actions. The director of personnel also noted in this interview that while he wants Tee Higgins back, it will be hard to keep him from hitting the open market. If Burton gets his head on straight, he could easily be Higgins' replacement if the latter leaves as a free agent. However, Burton did virtually nothing to make Cincinnati believe he is ready for that kind of role in 2025.

Huddle Up: Chase led the NFL in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708) and receiving touchdowns (17) this season, so he is in line for a very big extension if the two sides can agree to a deal. He will be one of the top receivers next season and will be a must-start option in all leagues.

Huddle Up: All needed to undergo two surgeries to repair his knee this time after the November injury exposed "a complicated fix" from a previous ACL tear. The Iowa product was beginning to emerge as a key contributor in Cincinnati before the injury, but this extended absence will likely force him to battle for a roster spot in 2026. Dynasty managers can hold in deeper leagues, but he can probably be dropped in more shallow formats if the league does not support offseason IRs. This news makes re-signing Mike Gesicki a much bigger deal for the Bengals.

Huddle Up: Chase was one of the top receivers in the NFL this season and will continue to be a significant part of the passing game for the Bengals next season. He should be one of the first receivers selected in drafts next season and will be a must-start option in all leagues.

Huddle Up: Brown found himself as the lead back after Zack Moss went down with an injury, and he made the most of the opportunity. Despite missing the finale with an ankle injury, Brown finished with 990 rushing yards, 54 receptions and 11 total touchdowns. He looks like a RB2 option heading into next season.

Huddle Up: Fantasy players will need to keep an eye on the situation to see if see if the Bengals make the playoffs because Higgins is one of the main options in the passing game. He is a weekly starting option in all leagues when healthy.

Huddle Up: Gesicki's production was sporadic this year, but he closed the year with 18 receptions over the final two games. He is scheduled to be a free agent after the year, so it remains to be seen where he will be playing in 2025.

Huddle Up: Chase put the finishing touches on an incredible season that could see him win the receiving triple crown.