Ja’Marr Chase Leads Among Cincinnati Bengals’ Wide Receivers in Fantasy Football

2025 Fantasy Football Spotlight: Ja’Marr Chase and the Cincinnati Bengals Passing Game

When it comes to fantasy wide receivers in 2025, Chase is the headline name. He’s not just the WR1 in PPR formats — in many drafts, he’s going No. 1 overall. With Joe Burrow healthy and Cincinnati doubling down on their passing attack by re-signing Tee Higgins, the Bengals boast one of the league’s most explosive air games. The question for fantasy managers and bettors alike is whether Chase can deliver on the massive expectations again.

Ja’Marr Chase: WR1 and Worthy of the Top Pick

Chase continues to be a matchup nightmare. He dominates in every scoring format but truly separates himself in PPR, where his target share and big-play ability make him nearly impossible to fade.

• Elite Consistency: Chase is one of the rare wideouts who can post 10+ catches in any given game.

• Ceiling Games: Few players in fantasy football can single-handedly win you a week the way Chase can, exploding for 150+ yards and multiple scores.

• PPR Dominance: He’s not just the WR1 — he’s in play for No. 1 overall pick in full PPR formats, rivaling the elite running backs.

Betting Market: Chase is among the favorites in Offensive Player of the Year futures (+1000 to +1200 range) and leads the board in receiving yards props (3,500+ futures markets list him around 1,450–1,500 yards). His anytime touchdown odds will be among the shortest of any WR in weekly markets.

Tee Higgins: Boom-or-Bust Running Mate

The Bengals shocked many by keeping Higgins, committing big money to retain their WR2. While Higgins’ talent is undeniable, his durability issues frustrate fantasy managers.

• Injury Concerns: Higgins often lands on the injury report, and even when he plays, he’s prone to leaving games early.

• Weekly Variance: He’s a “win-you-a-week” player. One week it’s 180 yards and two touchdowns, the next week it’s 3 catches for 22 yards.

• Draft Value: He’s typically going in the WR2/WR3 range. The talent is undeniable, but managers need to build depth to cover his volatility.

Betting Market: Higgins’ receiving yard props usually hover around 950–1,000 yards, reflecting both his upside and injury risk. Bettors targeting overs need to accept the week-to-week variance.

Other Bengals Pass-Catchers

• Andrei Iosivas: An intriguing late-round sleeper and potential fantasy handcuff to Higgins. He flashed in 2024 and could see expanded snaps if Higgins misses time.

• Jermaine Burton: A rookie who may carve out a situational role, but more of a dynasty stash than a redraft play.

• Mike Gesicki (TE): Gesicki is a touchdown-or-bust option. Cincinnati has never funneled targets to the tight end, making him an emergency streamer more than a weekly starter.

Fantasy Note: Outside of Chase and Higgins, Bengals pass-catchers are best suited as late-round darts or waiver-wire watchlist names.

Fantasy & Betting Takeaways

• Chase: Locked-in WR1 and a justifiable No. 1 overall pick in PPR formats. His ceiling is unmatched.

• Higgins: A risky but high-upside WR2. Expect frustration, but also game-winning weeks.

• Others: Iosivas is the sleeper, Gesicki is touchdown-dependent, and Burton is for dynasty formats.

• Betting Lean: Chase overs in receptions and yards remain one of the sharpest plays. Team futures are tied to Burrow’s health, but if he stays upright, Cincinnati’s passing game is one of the NFL’s most reliable overs bets.

Final Word

The Bengals’ passing attack runs through Chase, and in 2025, he’s as safe a bet as any fantasy asset in football. Higgins adds volatility, Iosivas has sleeper appeal, and the tight ends remain an afterthought. For fantasy managers, draft Chase with confidence at the top of the board. For bettors, his receiving yards and touchdown overs are weekly targets, especially in high-scoring AFC matchups.

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