Bottom Line

Brown enters the NFL as a fifth-round pick with a decent shot at winning the backup job behind incumbent Bengals’ starting RB Joe Mixon.

Though he’s on the older side of the prospect curve (age 23), Brown is a quick back with a good track record of receiving acumen at the college level that could be a solid handcuff option in deeper leagues in 2023.

What We Learned Last Year

• Brown was selected by the Bengals with the 163rd overall pick in the fith round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
• He spent five seasons in college between Western Michigan and Illinois.
• In 2022, Brown recorded the fourth-most rushing yards (1,643) in the NCAA with 48 runs of 10+ yards.
• A quality receiver out of the backfield, Brown caught 58 passes at 9.0 yards per reception for his college career.
• At the NFL Combine, Brown measured in at 5’9½”, 209 pounds with a 4.43 40-yard time.

What to Expect in 2023

• Brown enters the league as a 23-year-old rookie with some size concerns.
• However, with the offseason departure of RB Samaje Perine, Brown stands to be in the thick of the training camp battle for the RB2 job behind incumbent starter Joe Mixon.
• Should he seize the backup role, Brown is best considered a late-round handcuff option in fantasy leagues for the 2023 season.