Ja’Marr Chase’s Dynasty Value | Fantasy Outlook, Ranking, and More

Did Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase’s dynasty value sink from a season that saw him score “just” seven times after scoring 22 times through 29 career games? Of course, his 2023 campaign was impacted by injuries to Joe Burrow, but that needs to be factored into the calculus, as Cincy’s franchise quarterback has failed to appear in more than 10 games in two of his four seasons.

How many receivers should you have ranked ahead of the Bengals’ ace in fantasy football leagues that center around long-term projections?

Ja’Marr Chase’s Dynasty Outlook

Chase was the fifth-overall pick for the Bengals in 2021 — the talented WR turns 24 years old in March. He has put up some impressive numbers through three seasons: 268 receptions, 3,717 receiving yards, and 29 touchdowns.

Those numbers are better than “impressive.” That’s four more touchdowns than Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson had through three seasons and 646 more yards than Detroit Lions WR Calvin Johnson had through three seasons. Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice didn’t have 268+ receptions over a three-year stretch until Years 8-10 of his career.

The résumé is strong, but a dynasty profile is about so much more than production. Let’s look at the physical profile:

• 9.6″ hands
• 4.34-second 40-yard dash
• 41″ vertical leap

Average of Julio Jones and Calvin Johnson

• 9.6″ hands
• 4.35-second 40-yard dash
• 40.5″ vertical leap

If you’ve watched any part of a Bengals game over the past three seasons, these numbers check out. Chase is the rare combination of explosive YAC potential with the ability to high-point the ball at an elite level.

MORE: Dynasty Trade Advice — DeVonta Smith, Cooper Kupp, Treylon Burks

In dynasty leagues, managers are rewarded for forecasting future situations, as much as they are properly projecting the potential of players.

The Bengals have their franchise QB in place with Burrow, and they have an offensive-oriented young head coach (Zac Taylor) who has taken this team from a punch line (6-25-1 in his first two seasons) to destined to shine (consecutive AFC North titles before Burrow’s injury this season ended dreams of a three-peat).

Chase’s Dynasty Ranking

Where does Chase land in the dynasty WR landscape going into the 2024 offseason? Here are Soppe’s latest rankings, featuring where Chase lands in comparison to other top names at the position.

Kyle Soppe’s Top 20 Dynasty WR Rankings

1) Ja’Marr Chase | CIN
2) Justin Jefferson | MIN
3) Tyreek Hill | MIA
4) CeeDee Lamb | DAL
5) Amon-Ra St. Brown | DET
6) A.J. Brown | PHI
7) Garrett Wilson | NYJ
8) Jaylen Waddle | MIA
9) Chris Olave | NO
10) Tee Higgins | CIN
11) DeVonta Smith | PHI
12) Brandon Aiyuk | SF
13) Michael Pittman Jr. | IND
14) Puka Nacua | LAR
15) DJ Moore | CHI
16) Cooper Kupp | LAR
17) Zay Flowers | BAL
18) DK Metcalf | SEA
19) Drake London | ATL
20) Jaxon Smith-Njigba | SEA

Should You Trade Chase in Dynasty?

Are you considering trading Chase? Our PFN Trade Analyzer allows you to find the best trades to make in seconds.

If you can trade for Chase, do it! Dynasty champions are built through wide receivers due to the predictability of the position along with the average career length. Chase’s full profile (talent, role, supporting cast, etc.) is as complete as any in the game.

There are whispers that Tee Higgins could be on his way out of town, and that means Chase stands to only gain more value as the offseason wears on. Since the start of 2022:

Without Higgins on the field

• Targeted on 26.8% of routes
• 2.39 fantasy points per catch

With Higgins on the field

• Targeted on 24% of routes
• 2.13 fantasy points per catch

Look at your QB dynasty rankings, and you’ll notice that very few of them have a WR1 that is developing with them. You could argue that the Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott/WR CeeDee Lamb tandem has years in front of them, but outside of that, there are holes to poke in everyone.

• QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: WR Stefon Diggs is 30 years old and showed signs of decline.
• QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: Rookie WR Rashee Rice still has work to do.
• QB Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers: Neither of his top options can stay healthy.
• QB Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles: The passing progression hasn’t happened.
• QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens: WR Zay Flowers still has work to do.
• QB C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans: WR Nico Collins looks the part, but so does WR Tank Dell.
• QB Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts: We need more proof of concept as a passer.

Jefferson is the receiver that sits atop most dynasty rankings, and I have no problem with that. But do we know who’s going to be throwing him the ball for years to come?

The talent is obvious, and even an average QB lands him in that conversation, but I prefer the stability that comes with Chase having Burrow to support him over any perceived talent edge that sits with Jefferson.

MORE: Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Value Chart 

Now’s your chance. With Burrow out, Chase limped to the fantasy finish line this season with 14 catches for 153 yards and zero touchdowns in his final four games. That slow finish, combined with the huge seasons from Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill and Lamb, have Chase’s spot on the Mount Rushmore of dynasty receivers being questioned.

Pounce — pounce now! If you can’t pry Chase away from his manager, all of the similar traits favor Higgins. The 2023 version of the Bengals isn’t what I expect we see moving forward.