Bengals Starters’ Preseason Participation: A Key Factor for Fantasy Football Success

bengals Shift Preseason Strategy, aiming for Faster Start in 2025

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor is signaling a change in approach to the preseason, prioritizing early playing time for key starters in an effort to avoid the slow starts that have plagued the team in recent years.Taylor confirmed that quarterback Joe Burrow, among other starters, will see action for “several” series in Thursday’s preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. He also indicated an even heavier workload is planned for the second preseason game against the Washington Commanders on August 18th. While a few starters,including tight end Mike Gesicki,will be sidelined due to injury,the overall plan represents a departure from the Bengals’ previously cautious preseason strategy.

Historically, the Bengals have limited the preseason exposure of star players like Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase to minimize injury risk. However, this approach has coincided with sluggish beginnings to the regular season. The team endured a 2-3 start in 2022, a 1-3 start in 2023, and ultimately a 1-4 start last season, a hole they couldn’t fully recover from despite a strong finish.

With a perhaps favorable early schedule in 2025 – including matchups against the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars in the first two weeks – Taylor is persistent to have his core players firing on all cylinders from the outset.This shift in strategy could also have a positive impact on fantasy football value. A quicker start for Burrow could translate to immediate returns for fantasy managers, avoiding the mid-season surge that has become typical in recent years.

Running back Chase Brown, fresh off a breakout 2024 campaign where he nearly reached 1,000 rushing yards, also stands to benefit. Currently ranked as the 12th running back by FantasyPros, Brown could easily climb into the top 10 with a strong start to the season fueled by increased preseason reps and a more streamlined offensive rhythm.

How do limited preseason snaps for Joe Burrow potentially impact the fantasy value of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins?

Monitoring Bengals’ Key Players in August

Preseason football isn’t just about evaluating rookies and backups; it’s a crucial period for gauging the health and readiness of your fantasy football stars. For Cincinnati Bengals fans and fantasy managers alike, tracking the preseason participation of key starters like Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and others is paramount. A seemingly minor tweak or a surprising amount of playing time can significantly impact their draft stock and projected performance. This article, updated August 7, 2025, dives deep into why monitoring bengals starters’ preseason snaps matters for your fantasy football league.

Why Preseason Snaps Matter for Fantasy

The preseason offers the first real glimpse into a player’s condition after the offseason. Here’s how it impacts fantasy football:

Injury Risk Assessment: Increased snaps mean increased risk.Seeing a star player limited or absent due to a minor injury during preseason is a red flag.

Role Clarification: Preseason can reveal changes in offensive schemes or a player’s role within the offense. Is Joe Mixon still the clear lead back? Is Tee Higgins fully integrated into the offense?

Rust Factor: Even healthy players need to shake off the rust. Limited preseason action can lead to a slower start to the regular season.

New Player Integration: How are new additions fitting into the Bengals’ system? Preseason provides a testing ground for chemistry and play calling.

Key Bengals players to Watch – 2025 Preseason

Here’s a breakdown of Bengals players whose preseason participation is critical for fantasy managers:

joe Burrow (QB)

Burrow’s health is the storyline for the Bengals and fantasy football. After his wrist injury in 2023, any sign of discomfort or limited participation in 2025 preseason games will send shockwaves through the fantasy community.

What to look for: Number of snaps, velocity on throws, and any visible signs of favoring his throwing arm. Even a few series can provide valuable insight.

fantasy Impact: A fully healthy Burrow elevates Chase, Higgins, and boyd (if still with the team) into elite fantasy options. Any lingering issues drastically lower their ceilings.

Ja’Marr Chase (WR)

Chase is a consensus top-five fantasy receiver.preseason is about confirming his connection with Burrow remains strong and that he’s fully healthy.

What to look for: Route running sharpness, target share in limited snaps, and overall explosiveness.

Fantasy impact: Chase’s ADP (average Draft Position) will be heavily influenced by Burrow’s health and their preseason chemistry.

Joe Mixon (RB)

Mixon’s role as the lead back is generally secure, but preseason provides a chance to assess his explosiveness and pass-catching ability. With the emergence of Chase brown last season, monitoring Mixon’s workload is crucial.

What to look for: Snaps in passing situations,efficiency on runs between the tackles,and overall workload compared to backups.

Fantasy Impact: A clear indication that mixon remains the workhorse back solidifies his RB1 status. A diminished role could push him down draft boards.

Tee Higgins (WR)

Higgins’ contract situation and potential trade rumors add another layer of complexity. His preseason performance will be closely scrutinized.

What to look for: Target share, route running, and chemistry with Burrow. Any signs of discontent or a reduced role are concerning.

Fantasy Impact: Higgins’ value hinges on his situation with the Bengals. A strong preseason showing could increase his trade value or solidify his role as a WR2.

Bengals Preseason schedule & Key Dates (2025)

Staying informed about the Bengals’ preseason schedule is vital. here are the key dates to mark on your calendar:

1. August 9th vs. Atlanta Falcons: First opportunity to see starters in action.
2. August 17th @ New England Patriots: Road game provides a different test.
3. August 23rd vs.Chicago Bears: Final tune-up before the regular season.

Pay close attention to reports from bengals Wire (https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/) and other reputable sources for snap counts and injury updates following each game.

Utilizing Preseason Data for Fantasy Drafts

Don’t overreact to one game, but trends are crucial. Here’s how to use preseason data:

Adjust ADP: Be willing to adjust a player’s ADP based on preseason performance and health.

Target Value: Identify players whose value has shifted due to preseason developments.

monitor Injury Reports: Stay updated on injury reports and adjust your draft strategy accordingly.

Late-Round Fliers: Consider drafting players who showed promise in the preseason as potential late-round sleepers.

Case Study: 2024 – Tyler Boyd’s Limited Preseason

In 2024, Tyler Boyd had a limited preseason due to a minor hamstring strain. While he ultimately played a full season, his reduced preseason snaps initially lowered his fantasy draft stock. This demonstrates how even minor preseason issues can impact perceived value. Fantasy managers who capitalized on the discounted price benefited from