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Footballguys fantasy football takes on Ja'Marr Chase

Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Footballguys about Ja'Marr Chase.

78
Insights
48
Positive
15
Negative
Insight ledger

All Footballguys insights about Ja'Marr Chase

PositiveProjectionOct 22, 2026
Chase ran a route on 97 percent of Cincinnati's dropbacks in Week 5 when Tee Higgins was at 76 percent; Chase out-targeted Higgins 10 to 4. The source notes that Chase is a premier wide receiver with an elite combination of speed, power, and contested-catch ability with exceptional YAC skills and consistent home-run upside. Redemption is baked into the role and locked in by the talent; when the season is over, the No. 3 pick will have been well spent.
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NegativeUsageOct 22, 2026
Chase was the third pick overall but is WR17 overall and WR15 on a points-per-game basis. Locked On Bengals host Jake Liscow found that recent snaps with Joe Burrow on the field show lower passing and rushing success rates, along with less efficient EPA results, when Chase works from the slot. The issue is that Cincinnati's current usage may be turning an elite playmaker into the focal point of predictable, short-area designs. The injury to Andrei Iosivas may matter more than previously believed because a dependable third receiver could allow Chase to return to more outside work.
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PositiveInjuryOct 10, 2026
Ja'Marr Chase trending toward playing in Week 5 after logging full practice Friday. Historical data since 2017 shows nearly 90% of fantasy-relevant players in concussion protocol who practiced in full during final practice of the week went on to play, compared to roughly 50% of those who were limited. Bengals did not activate a WR from practice squad on Saturday, which can signal player availability. Chase still needs to officially clear concussion protocol, but encouraging signs point to Week 5 participation.
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NegativeInjuryOct 5, 2026
Ja'Marr Chase was the victim of a brutal facemask penalty before taking a hard follow-up hit that drove his head into the turf, resulting in a concussion evaluation and being ruled out for the remainder of the game. Concussions are highly variable and recovery is based on symptoms and progression through the NFL's concussion protocol rather than a set timeline. The overwhelming majority of wide receivers miss at least one game following a concussion (specifically 82% since 2017). The source considers Chase more likely than not to miss Week 5, with his current projected return of Week 7 due to the Bengals Week 6 bye.
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PositiveProjectionSep 22, 2026
Chase was drafted as the top receiver overall in fantasy drafts but caught only two of four targets for 12 yards in Week 1. However, he was coming off a preseason knee injury and was limited in his Week 1 role while the offense flowed through Tee Higgins, Chase Brown, and Mike Gesicki. In Week 2, he hauled seven of nine targets for 75 yards and two touchdowns. The source emphasizes that Chase is still one of the best receivers in football and context (preseason knee injury limiting Week 1 role) keeps from making drastic swings in rankings.
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NegativeBustSep 19, 2026
Ja'Marr Chase finished Week 1 with just 2.2 points despite being rostered at 66% in 50/50s, which Devin Knotts identifies as a tough outcome. Knotts notes that playing both Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs instead of Chase would have been the smarter play. Knotts also reveals a concerning historical trend: Chase has averaged just 39 yards in Week 1 over the last four seasons, prompting Knotts to set a reminder to "DO NOT PLAY JA'MARR CHASE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES" in Week 1 going forward.
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PositiveValueSep 12, 2026
Ja'Marr Chase is recommended in the Primary Cash Lineup for Week 1 DFS at $7,800. Historically, the gap between elite wide receivers and the rest of the field has been massive; in 2025, Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba were nearly must-plays every week. In 2024, Chase clearly separated himself from the group with 85 more points than the second-highest-scoring wide receiver, finishing as the fourth-highest-scoring receiver despite Joe Burrow playing only eight games.
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PositiveProjectionSep 7, 2026
Chase currently has 6,837 receiving yards (167th all-time), 520 receptions (142nd), and 54 touchdowns (124th). His 6,837 yards through five seasons trail only Jefferson's 7,432. His 54 touchdowns through five years trail only Jerry Rice (66), Randy Moss (60), and Dez Bryant (56). Chase and St. Brown are at 83 and 78 games played, respectively, and should both beat the current mark of 600 receptions in 96 games. For Cincinnati franchise records, Chase currently has 520 receptions (4th), 6,837 yards (5th), and 54 touchdowns (4th). He could take the Bengals' top spot in touchdowns in 2026, needing 12. While Chase could potentially reach Chad Johnson at the end of 2027, it's much more likely he moves to third in 2026, second in 2027, then takes the top spot in 2028.
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