Huddle Up: Chase has proven he can put up elite numbers with or without Joe Burrow, consistently ranking among the league leaders in all the receiving categories. Chase has a great argument to be the first receiver selected in drafts, and he is a worthy option as early as No. 3 overall.

Huddle Up: Brown finished last season on a high note, emerging as one of the more complete backs in the league. He will enter 2026 as a high-end RB2 with a real chance at breaking into the RB1 mix.

Huddle Up: Burrow was efficient in his preseason debut, and most importantly, he didn't suffer any injuries. Burrow has put up high-end QB1 numbers when healthy, but his injury history is tough to ignore. He is one of the riskier options among the top quarterbacks, but the gamble could pay off.

Huddle Up: Iosivas is coming off a down year, though the absence of Joe Burrow doubtless played a part in the Princeton product's struggles in 2025. Of course, this passing game flows through the duo of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and unless one of them is sidelined, Iosivas doesn't offer enough juice to be rostered in most formats. On that front, however, don't forget that Tee Higgins has missed 13 games over the last three seasons, so Iosivas could be called upon, which makes him someone to track as a possible in-season addition.

Huddle Up: Higgins has struggled with hamstring injuries over the last several seasons, so the team wants to make sure he is ready for Week 1. He has caught at least 10 touchdowns in each of the last two seasons and will be a weekly starting option in fantasy leagues if healthy.

Huddle Up: Even if he does secure the No. 3 receiver role, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins figure to command a majority of the targets, making it tough for Iosivas to make a consistent impact. In deeper leagues, Iosivas could be a worthwhile bench option in case Chase or Higgins miss time.

Huddle Up: Despite Joe Burrow missing time, Chase still managed to finish third in the NFL in receptions and fourth in receiving yards last season. Not only is Chase firmly in the conversation as the best receiver in fantasy leagues, but he deserves to be considered as the potential No. 1 overall pick in PPR formats.

Huddle Up: Chase's numbers are even more impressive when you consider that Joe Burrow has only played more than 10 games once in that stretch. Not only does Chase have a strong argument to be the first receiver off the board in fantasy drafts, but he deserves consideration as the No. 1 overall pick in PPR formats.

Huddle Up: Iosivas will likely have to compete with Colbie Young for the No. 3 receiver job but may be the leading candidate with his experience with Burrow. He will have a role in the passing game this season but can be avoided in most leagues unless Ja'Marr Chase or Tee Higgins suffer an injury.

Huddle Up: Burrow's cap hit for the upcoming season is $47.99 million, which currently stands as the second-highest cap number in the National Football League this year, behind Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford (at $48.2 million). In eight games last season, he had 1,809 passing yards and 17 touchdowns with just five interceptions. Burrow should continue to be viewed as a high-end QB1 option in all fantasy formats despite his prior injury history.

Huddle Up: Only five players have thrown 48 TDs in a season, and Burrow has the talent and the receivers to do it. The constant looming question is whether he can stay healthy. His career high was 43 in a healthy 2024 season, and it's certainly possible he could do it. He'll be a high-end QB1 option with the aforementioned injury cloud of questions.

Huddle Up: Higgins has dealt with injuries over the last few seasons but is one of the better receivers in the NFL when healthy. He can be a No. 2 or No. 3 receiver in all fantasy leagues this season.

Huddle Up: The well-traveled Flacco enters his 19th NFL season and signs with Cincinnati, where he ended his 18th NFL season. After starting the season with Cleveland, Flacco was acquired midseason by the Bengals and started six games for Cincinnati in 2025, posting a solid 13:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio despite a 1-5 record. If Flacco gets a start for the Bengals at any point in the upcoming season, he'll be in the streaming conversation for fantasy football in 2026.

Huddle Up: The well-traveled Flacco enters his 19th NFL season, but it looks as though it will be in a backup capacity. After being acquired by the Bengals, Flacco started six games for Cincinnati in 2025, posting a solid 13:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio despite a 1-5 record. If Flacco gets a start for any NFL team, he'll be in the streaming conversation for fantasy football in 2026.

Huddle Up: Johnson will be 40 years old for the 2026 NFL season and this signing marks his third stint with the Bengals in his career. He's not fantasy relevant, but Johnson could be Joe Burrow's backup quarterback in Cincinnati for the upcoming season.

Huddle Up: Higgins has dealt with injuries in the past but was able to play in 15 games this season and posted a career-high 11 touchdowns. He will continue to be one of the top targets in the passing game for the Bengals and should be a No. 2 quarterback in fantasy leagues.

Huddle Up: Chase worked with multiple quarterbacks this season but was still able to be one of the top receivers in the NFL. He will be the main option in the passing game again next season and will be a weekly starting option in all fantasy leagues.

Huddle Up: Brown had a rough 2025 season, but he remains the face of the Bengals' backfield. He can be an RB2 in 2026 after battling through injuries this past season.

Huddle Up: Higgins ended up with 59 receptions for 846 yards and 11 touchdowns on 98 targets in 15 games in 2025. It was another strong campaign for Higgins, who will be a valuable top fantasy option again in 2026.

Huddle Up: It was another great season for Chase, who had 125 receptions, 1,412 receiving yards and eight touchdowns despite working with three different quarterbacks, including a majority of the season with QBs Jake Browning and Joe Flacco. He'll once again be a top fantasy pick, if not the No. 1 overall pick, on draft day yet again in 2026.

Huddle Up: Brown ran for at least 66 yards in each of his final three games, and he total four rushing touchdowns and four receiving scores across the final five outings. He emerged as a legit low-end RB1 or top-tier RB2 in all fantasy leagues down the stretch. He'll likely be highly sought after early on draft day in 2026.

Huddle Up: Burrow had five multi-TD games in six starts since returning from a two-month injury due to a severe turf toe injury suffered in Week 2. It was another lost season for Cincinnati. When Burrow is in there, he leads a powerful offense, and he is a bona fide QB1 in most fantasy leagues. But, his propensity for injury will always mean you need to have an alternate at the ready.

Huddle Up: Johnson went 15-for-23 for 198 passing yards with no touchdowns or interceptions, along with 10 rushing yards, in his last start versus the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17. He is receiving the starting nod again for the regular-season finale after both Jayden Daniels (elbow) and Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) were ruled out but should be avoided in all fantasy formats.

Huddle Up: Brown should be able to handle his normal workload despite missing some practice this week because of an illness. He has become a very valuable fantasy option and will be a starting option in all fantasy leagues.

Huddle Up: Brown being absent for two days in a row is not a good sign for his availability in Week 18, but an illness keeps the window open. No need for a backup plan yet if you need Chase Brown.

Huddle Up: The Browns are a tough matchup against opposing QBs the last five weeks, and DE Myles Garrett remains one sack away from history. However, Burrow is the QB4 in fantasy the last three weeks. He's an elite option for the finale.

Huddle Up: Iosivas has not been a big part of the passing game recently, but his six targets were his second highest of the season. He will likely see a few targets next week against the Cleveland Browns but can be avoided in most leagues.

Huddle Up: Gesicki was able to catch both of his targets this week but has been held to under 40 yards in all but two of his games this season. He should see a handful of targets next week but is unlikely to be a starting option in most leagues.