The Cincinnati Bengals selected Illinois running back Chase Brown in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 163rd overall.
Brown is the Bengals' second offensive selection of the draft, joining wide receiver Charlie Jones.
Brown earned all-conference honors after rushing for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons from 2021-22. He recorded 27 receptions for 240 yards and three scores last season.
Cincinnati adds an intriguing rookie tailback to a running back depth chart that features Joe Mixon, Trayveon Williams, and Chris Evans.
Pre-draft profile
Brown produced with a massive workload as a senior in 2022, taking 328 carries for 1,643 yards in 12 games. The Illinois standout is an explosive runner - as confirmed with an outstanding athletic profile in pre-draft testing - who demonstrates the ability to make good reads as a play develops. He's comfortable in tight spaces and can create yards for himself by setting up defenders behind his blocks and beating them with lateral quickness. Brown is also an effective receiver out of the backfield and a capable pass-protector. That skill set will make him a strong fit for today's NFL, particularly as part of an offense that makes an effort to spread things out. He may not have the physicality for significant early-down work, as playing through contact isn't a strength in his game right now, so it's possible he settles into a scatback role as a result.
