Cincinnati Bengals DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton had a game-high four catches for 56 yards in Thursday's preseason loss to the Colts. The 2024 No. 80 overall pick struggled in the Bengals' second preseason contest. However, on Thursday, he turned it around to end his preseason with two trips to the end zone. The Bengals enter the 2024-25 campaign with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins as the top wideouts on the depth chart. Yet, the No. 3 spot is far from a lock. While Andrei Iosivas and Trenton Irwin could begin the season by getting more attention from Joe Burrow, Burton may eventually surpass them in production (and snaps). Fantasy managers should view the rookie as a late draft stash, especially since there is a good chance he'll be a waiver target at some point during the year.

Extension talks between the Cincinnati Bengals and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase have been "mysterious," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. This situation is particularly unique because, as Schefter notes, Chase still has two years left on his current contract. That's what makes these negotiations different from those between the Dallas Cowboys and CeeDee Lamb, as well as the San Francisco 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk. The Bengals are reportedly willing to strike a deal with Chase before the season, but Week 1 isn't a firm deadline in the team's eyes. On the other hand, Schefter highlighted recent comments from former NFL receiver Chad Johnson who believes that the two sides are making progress, but Chase might be inclined to hold out if he doesn't have a deal by the start of the season. As of now, the chances of that happening are slim, but should he miss time, Tee Higgins would be the Bengals' top receiver and a borderline WR1 in fantasy football. Fantasy managers must continue to monitor this situation in hopes of gaining more clarity before the regular season kicks off next month.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase returned to training camp practice on Monday. Due to an ongoing contract dispute with the team, Chase has been present at camp but hasn't been participating in on-field workouts. The 24-year-old star pass-catcher also hasn't seen any preseason action during his hold-in. It remains to be seen if the two sides can work out a long-term contract extension before Week 1 rolls around, but even if they don't, Chase profiles as an elite top-five fantasy wideout with quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) back to full health after a season-ending wrist injury in 2023. The former fifth overall pick in 2021 out of LSU has all kinds of chemistry with Burrow, dating back to their college days, and has been a Pro Bowler in each of his first three seasons in the NFL, racking up 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns on 268 receptions.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, there hasn't been much talk between Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase and the team regarding a new contract. Chase, who has a base salary of $1.1 million for the 2024-25 campaign and a $21.8 million team option for 2025-26, has been with the Bengals at training camp. However, he hasn't been participating. Without question, Chase is a top wideout in the National Football League, recently finishing the 2023-24 season by catching a career-high 100 passes for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns. Yet, with other top wideouts getting big money, Chase wants to be paid sooner rather than later. There haven't been any updates on whether the contract situation will keep him off the field. But Chase's fantasy value will dip if he doesn't start practicing soon.

Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson was the team's only source of offense during Saturday's preseason loss to Chicago. The 25-year-old began the preseason by missing a kick in the Bengals' first preseason game versus the Bucs. However, he got it together on Saturday, nailing a 54-yard attempt. McPherson, who recently agreed to a three-year, $16.5 million contract extension, was at his best as a rookie. But if the Bengals offense can return to form, he'll have plenty of chances to make a difference for fantasy managers.