James Boutros likes Ja'Marr Chase to soar past 87.5 receiving yards (-113) in a game with a 49.5 total. Chase managed only 5 targets, 2 grabs, and 26 yards in Week 1, a stat line Boutros called a classic springboard for elite receivers. Jacksonville’s secondary is far more exploitable than last week’s opponent, and Cincinnati is expected to rebound offensively, forcing additional volume. Boutros expects Joe Burrow to pepper Chase on the boundary and intermediate crossers, calling 100 yards a realistic ceiling in this projected shootout.

JDBetsHQ said to hammer the over on Ja'Marr Chase’s 84.5-yard receiving line for Week 1 in Cleveland. Chase averaged just over 100 receiving yards per game last season and now gets Joe Burrow fully healthy again. The Bengals are 4.5-point favorites, and the tout expects a shoot-out, pointing out that the spread would probably be Bengals ‑7 if the game were in Cincinnati. Chase managed 97 receiving yards in his first meeting with the Browns last year and is still the clear first read in a pass-centric offense. JDBetsHQ does not trust the Browns offense to keep pace but believes Cincinnati will throw enough for Chase to clear the number comfortably.

JDBetsHQ locked in the over on Ja'Marr Chase’s receiving yards (listed at 84.5) despite Cleveland’s respectable secondary. He noted Chase has averaged 113 yards over his past five contests and an even 100 across the entire 2024 season, clearing this Week 1 line in six straight outings. The underlying fantasy pipeline of Joe Burrow to Chase remains intact, and with a 47.5 total and the Bengals installed as 4.5-point road favorites, the tout expects a pass-leaning script. Last year Chase still posted 97 yards in one of two meetings with the Browns, and JDBetsHQ believes Cincinnati projects for frequent shootouts in 2025, making the mid-80s number too low relative to Chase’s demonstrated ceiling and median.

Bill Harrelson Picks urged bettors to grab Ja'Marr Chase to score a touchdown against Cleveland. He pointed to Chase’s ridiculous finishing stretch—17 TDs in his last 15 games and cashing the anytime score in 7 of the past 10. The Browns leaked league-high production to wide receivers, allowing 1.4 WR TDs per game, and although Denzel Ward is elite, Cleveland cannot shadow Chase on every snap. Chase found the end zone in both head-to-head meetings last season, and Harrelson expects Cincinnati to start fast in 2025 rather than dig another 0-1 hole, making their star wideout the focal point near the goal line.

Joe Pisapia fired on Ja'Marr Chase at +900 for Offensive Player of the Year, reasoning that a "big year for Burrow means a bigger year for Chase." He values the 9-1 payout on a receiver who already owns a 1,800-yard season and leads the league in end-zone targets. Pisapia framed it as a simple correlation bet—the Bengals’ MVP narrative will funnel production through Chase, and a $100 stake returns roughly $1,000 if it hits.

Davis Mattek said selecting Ja'Marr Chase first overall is the sharp move in 2025 drafts. Mattek expects Cincinnati to be one of the league’s most pass-heavy teams because its defense is “absolutely brutal” and the roster lacks a power runner, forcing Joe Burrow to chase shoot-outs. Chase already delivered a WR1 overall season and, in Mattek’s words, “outscored Justin Jefferson by over 100 points” under DraftKings 2024 scoring. With no true third weapon added—Mattek dismissed the Noah Fant signing as irrelevant—Chase should keep an elite target share while offering the highest weekly ceiling in the player pool. Mattek therefore prefers him over Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs and CeeDee Lamb despite acknowledging the occasional down week.

Larry Hartstein recommended betting Ja'Marr Chase at +950 to win Offensive Player of the Year. Hartstein pointed out that Chase won the receiving triple crown last season but lost the award to Saquon Barkley’s historic campaign. Chase remains Joe Burrow’s first read—evidenced by catching all five preseason targets for roughly 80 yards—and Cincinnati’s leaky defense should force shootout scripts that inflate volume. Hartstein sees no reason Chase cannot repeat or exceed last year’s production and claims the +950 price understates that possibility.

Tom Strachan called Ja'Marr Chase the premier hero-WR target, reminding listeners that he finished 2024 as fantasy’s overall WR1 with 117 catches, 1,612 yards and 16 TDs – two PPR points clear of the next-best receiver. Strachan demolished the old split narrative by noting Chase actually averaged more points (24.7) in games where Tee Higgins played than when Higgins was inactive (21.3). With the Bengals defense still projected to struggle, Strachan expects another pass-heavy season from Joe Burrow and labeled Chase the ‘safest elite pick’ on the board.

Tom Strachan said drafters should smash Ja'Marr Chase at pick 1.02 if he slips, calling him the safest play on the board. Chase’s 2024 line of 117 catches, 1,612 yards and 16 touchdowns made him the overall WR1 and two full PPR points per game better than every other receiver. Strachan shot down the idea that Chase only explodes when Tee Higgins is absent, noting Chase actually averaged 24.7 PPR points with Higgins active versus 21.3 without him. With Cincinnati’s defense still 'really shaky,' Strachan expects another pass-heavy year from Joe Burrow and forecasts another monster, league-winning season for Chase.

Freedman projected Ja'Marr Chase for 158 targets (WR3) but the most fantasy points among receivers, labeling him the archetype "future Hall of Famer." He highlighted Chase’s 2024 triple-crown stat line of 127-1,708-17 and a position-best 95 Utilization Score, proof that the Bengals star offers both an unrivaled ceiling and a bankable weekly floor. With an ADP of 1.7 (WR1) Freedman considers the price appropriate but still views Chase as worth the top pick because his target share and scoring profile are so sticky year over year.

Matthew Freedman said Ja'Marr Chase is a buy because his 2.3 ADP on CBS is still cheaper than every other major platform where he is the consensus 1.01. Freedman reminded readers that Chase just posted a 127-1,708-17 Triple Crown season and argued that landing the league’s most productive wideout without spending the top pick is an obvious value in season-long drafts.

Tom Strachan said Ja'Marr Chase should be the first overall pick in 2025 redraft leagues. Chase posted 117 catches, 1,612 yards and 16 TDs last year, out-scoring Justin Jefferson by two PPR points per game. Strachan highlighted that Chase’s efficiency actually increased when Tee Higgins played (24.7 PPR points with Higgins vs 21.3 without), showing game-plan proof production. With Cincinnati’s defense still projected to struggle, Joe Burrow is expected to remain among the league leaders in drop-backs, keeping Chase’s volume elite. Chase has topped 1,200 yards in three of four seasons and logged back-to-back 100-catch campaigns, leaving injury as the only real risk. Strachan called the combination of unmatched ceiling and bankable floor “about as safe as a WR1 can get.”

Asked whether to take Ja'Marr Chase or Bijan Robinson in a half-point PPR redraft league, PPRTyler leaned toward Chase. He called the decision close but ultimately prefers Chase because "you know exactly what you're going to get," implying a higher level of week-to-week reliability from the proven wideout than from the rookie running back.

Citing last season’s sample, Best Ball Guy reminded listeners that Ja'Marr Chase racked up 92 half-PPR points in just two meetings with Baltimore. Cincinnati’s 2025 fantasy-playoff trio (Baltimore, Miami, Arizona) sets up as another track meet gauntlet; all three secondaries ranked bottom-10 in explosive-pass-rate allowed last year. He framed Chase as the rare first-rounder who can single-handedly drag a roster through the knockout weeks.

Ian Hartitz said Chase is the easiest 1.01 selection in 2025 drafts because no wideout blends talent, age and situation better. Chase ranks first in career PPR points per game, just turned 25, is projected for a massive 158 targets, and still catches passes from Joe Burrow. Hartitz argued that combination of youth-driven ceiling and bankable volume gives Chase the safest elite floor and the highest upside at the position.

Shawn Siegele said Ja'Marr Chase has a legitimate shot to become the NFL's first 2,000-yard receiver in the 17-game era. Siegele pointed to Cincinnati finishing second in total drop-backs last season, noting Sports Info Solutions had them 35 pass attempts clear of the fourth-place Cowboys, creating an ideal volume environment. He argued the Bengals' shaky defense forces continuous shootouts, further inflating passing opportunities. Chase already averaged 10 targets, 100 yards and a touchdown per game last year despite sharing looks with Tee Higgins, whose frequent injuries could let Chase’s target share climb past 30 percent. Because Chase combines 4.3 speed with heavy underneath usage and elite run-after-catch ability, Siegele believes the superstar can “reset the ceiling standard” for fantasy wideouts in 2025 and single-handedly decide best-ball tournaments.

Nathan Jahnke said Ja'Marr Chase should be the first player off the board in single-QB PPR leagues. Chase paced all wide receivers in total fantasy points and fantasy points per game in 2024, and he has graded inside PFF’s top-10 every season of his career. Cincinnati kept the entire passing ecosystem intact—same coaches, same quarterback room, no veteran wideout additions—so Jahnke expects only minor regression from last year’s WR1. The Bengals ranked top-5 in pass-rate over expectation for a second straight season, giving Chase one of the most pass-friendly environments in football. Jahnke concluded that the combination of elite talent and unchanged surroundings makes Chase “the safest and most reliable” 1.01 selection for 2025 drafts.

Best Ball Guy explained that when he opens a draft with Ja'Marr Chase he immediately hammers two running backs at the 2/3 turn. The four-five and six-seven turns are "dead zones" for the position in his eyes—wide-receiver values dominate—so locking in backs early prevents a roster from getting squeezed later. He called the double-RB start "a must" for any Chase team to remain balanced in Underdog Eliminator and Husky formats.

Dwain McFarland said Chase should be the first player off the board in every 2025 season-long or best-ball draft. Chase has already produced seasons of 20.1, 16.4 and 23.7 PPR points per game and ripped off 24.7 PPG in 2024 contests where Tee Higgins also played, proving the Bengals can support two studs. Cincinnati projects for the league-high in both passing yards and passing TDs with Joe Burrow healthy, yet the target tree remains narrow after the team declined to add a true third option. McFarland loves the alpha target share (30%+), 3-year yards-per-route-run north of 2.50 and a pass-heavy, consolidated scheme that makes Chase a weekly ceiling cheat code.

Dwain McFarland said Chase should be the first player off the board in 2025 drafts. Chase has put up 20.1, 16.4 and 23.7 PPR points per game the past three seasons and ranks as an alpha in target share, first-down share and yards per route run. Cincinnati projects as the most pass-heavy offense in his model, with Joe Burrow leading the league in projected yards and TDs. Even when Tee Higgins was active last year, Chase still averaged 24.7 PPG, and the Bengals have no proven third target earner, keeping the attack highly consolidated. McFarland concluded that all probability-based signals point to Chase as the safest, highest-ceiling option at 1.01.

Jeff Erickson locked in Ja'Marr Chase with the first overall pick, arguing that in wide-receiver-heavy NFFC drafts Chase is the consensus 1.01 and the necessary first step in building a Bengals stack. Erickson noted that the NFFC’s third-round-reversal format means the drafter at 1.01 will not select again until 2.24 and 3.36, so securing a proven, high-ceiling wideout now protects him from the positional runs that typically follow. With Cincinnati projected to remain a top-five passing offense, Erickson believes Chase’s weekly 30-point ceiling and correlation with Joe Burrow make him the safest and most explosive foundation for season-long contests.

Sean Koerner said Ja'Marr Chase should be the first overall pick in 2025 drafts, even ahead of Bijan Robinson. Chase just logged another monster season at age 25, is tethered to Joe Burrow, and benefits from a Bengals defense that hemorrhaged points last year and might be even worse if Trey Hendrickson’s contract dispute lingers. Koerner expects Cincinnati to remain among the league leaders in pass rate, giving Chase an elite floor and a week-winning ceiling that, in his view, eclipses Robinson’s projected workload as the top running back.

Shawn Siegele said drafters should gladly lock in Ja'Marr Chase at the very top of FFPC best-ball boards because he supplies a massive weekly and seasonal edge. Chase just delivered a 400-point campaign and is the only player with that ceiling who never lasts past the first three picks. Even though Siegele personally ranks rookie tight end Brock Bowers first in TE-premium formats, he still takes Chase at 1.01 because Bowers can be obtained later while Chase rarely slides. Beginning your roster with a proven 400-point wideout frees you to attack softer portions of the draft without sacrificing upside.

Davis Mattek said that pairing Ja'Marr Chase with Tee Higgins—or tacking on any of the usual Cardinals run-backs—is a leak in Best Ball Mania drafts. He cited DraftKings data showing roughly 25 percent of Chase teams also roster Higgins and about 20–22 percent include at least one Arizona Cardinal. In a 900K-entry tournament that level of duplication crushes expected value, because advancing with a chalky correlation gives very little leverage in Weeks 15-17 when prizes spike. Mattek argued you simply cannot be "so insanely confident" any particular construction is right that you willingly accept quarter-of-the-field overlap, especially when there are countless alternative ways to build around an overall-WR1 profile like Chase’s. His advice: take the generational receiver, but zig elsewhere for secondary stacks to maximize uniqueness and final-round ceiling.

Nick Whalen said Ja'Marr Chase is the clear 1.01 among wideouts even if his historic 2024 numbers dip. Chase led all PPR receivers by 90 points and averaged four more fantasy points per game than anyone else. Whalen argued the only paths to failure are a major Bengals offensive collapse or an injury, adding that Chase has already shown a top-three floor in any realistic scenario.

Tyler Knaeble said he immediately regretted grabbing Josh Allen with the 1.02 in his Scott Fish Bowl draft once he realized the scoring awards 2.5 points per reception. Knaeble explained that such an extreme PPR bonus turbo-charges wide-receiver ceilings, making target monsters like Ja'Marr Chase more valuable than even the top quarterbacks despite the super-flex format. He noted the league still awards minor points for QB rushing attempts, so Allen is not a disaster, but emphasized he would have taken Chase had he recognized the reception multiplier before making his pick.

Tyler Knaeble said Ja'Marr Chase is an easy smash at 1.01 in Underdog’s Eliminator because the Bengals open on the road against the Browns in warm September weather. He stressed that in this format Week 1 matters as much as Week 17— you advance only if you start 1-0— so targeting players in favorable opening-day environments is paramount. Knaeble noted Cincinnati–Cleveland projects as a competitive game without weather concerns, giving Chase immediate ceiling equity. With 23% exposure already in his portfolio, he still grabbed Chase, arguing that passing on the Bengals’ alpha would be “a sin” given the matchup and the need for early spike weeks.

Jagger May said Ja'Marr Chase should be the automatic 1.01 in best-ball drafts. The Bengals kept the entire offensive core intact while the defense lost talent on the edge and in the secondary, a combination that should push them into more shoot-outs and spike Chase’s target volume. May stressed that Chase already led all non-quarterbacks in fantasy points per game last season and nothing in the environment has changed to cap that ceiling. Locking him in at the top avoids early-round running-back fragility and gives drafters a player who can realistically finish as the overall WR1 and league-winning point scorer.

Alan Seslowsky advised drafting Ja'Marr Chase at the 1.01 in NFFC formats because of the positional drop-off at wide receiver compared to running back. Seslowsky has completed “a crap-ton” of drafts and sees a cliff at WR after the early second round, forcing drafters into reaches like Tee Higgins or Garrett Wilson if they pass on an elite WR at 1.01. Conversely, the 2/3 turn is loaded with backs such as Breece Hall, Kyren Williams, Chase Brown, and Josh Jacobs, allowing managers to open Chase/Jefferson and still secure two strong RBs later. His build prioritizes scarce top-end receiver production while taking advantage of deeper mid-round running-back supply.

Sam Monson said Ja'Marr Chase deserves to be drafted or bet as the NFL’s WR1 because his size-speed combo turns average plays into explosives. Monson highlighted Chase’s "superpower" of effortlessly shaking contact at every stage of the route – citing a 2023 clip against Washington where Chase looked blanketed for 10 yards before discarding Benjamin St-Juste and creating a yard-plus of separation for a deep gain. Monson added that Chase throttles down mid-route then accelerates past defenders, a pacing trick that pairs with his post-catch power to make him both a high-volume short target and a home-run deep threat. Those traits, in Monson’s view, give Chase the best composite profile for fantasy ceiling and floor among all wideouts this season.

Asked whether he would trade Ja'Marr Chase for rookie backs Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton, Jason Moore gave an emphatic no. He noted that Chase’s weekly ceiling—nearly 27 PPR points in career games with Joe Burrow—creates a roster-spot efficiency that two good but unproven running backs cannot match. Even in a lineup loaded with CeeDee Lamb and Garrett Wilson, Chase still provides irreplaceable leverage because his boom weeks are often decisive in head-to-head matchups. Moore also pointed out that Jeanty and Hampton would occupy two starting slots, reducing flexibility, and neither has proven NFL production or guaranteed second-contract security. Unless a team is absolutely barren at running back AND thin at receiver once Chase is removed, Moore believes you are downgrading both ceiling and floor by making the move.

Jason Moore said Ja'Marr Chase belongs in a tier of his own at the top of 2025 drafts. Chase averaged 20 fantasy points per game last season, a 4.4‑point gap over Justin Jefferson—the widest WR1/WR2 separation in seven years. Moore highlighted Chase’s 17 targets inside the 10‑yard line (most in the league) and explained that Cincinnati’s personnel guarantees similar usage: the Bengals lack a hammer back at the goal line (Chase Brown is undersized), Lou Anarumo’s defense projects as porous again, and every big dollar on offense is tied up in Joe Burrow, Chase and a freshly‑extended Tee Higgins. With Burrow viewed as “the perfect non‑mobile, high‑TD quarterback” for fantasy WR production, Moore expects a pass‑heavy script that keeps Chase’s ceiling intact and makes him the clear overall WR1 in redraft, best ball and DFS builds.