Looking for another big-play threat, the Cincinnati Bengals took a shot on a wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft, and it promptly blew up in their faces. Jermaine Burton was a big swing that did not pay off, but that doesn’t mean that Colbie Young will have the same fate.
Young did have some legal trouble in 2024, but his character doesn’t seem to be a concern.
He fractured his fibula in 2025, but he fought to come back by the end of the season.
In short, he is not a clean prospect, but he is far from
Burton.
This clip gives you a pretty good idea of what the Bengals see in Young. He’s another weapon for Joe Burrow, as if Burrow needed another. It’s hard enough to cover Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. When your wide receiver three can make plays like this, you are a real problem for opposing defenses.
Of course, he is not just a sprinter. He has the skill as a route runner, too. Just look at this release in one-on-ones that left his rival in the dust.
How about this route?
He pushes the cornerback toward the back pylon, setting up the throw near the front pylon. It’s also very impressive how he turns, extends his arms, and hauls in the touchdown.
That ball tracking skill is nothing new to Young. Here, he is hauling in a deeper touchdown that was thrown at the back of his head. Young makes it look easy as he whips around, extends his arms, and pulls in the score.
He isn’t just a one-trick pony, though. Here is another impressive snag on the sideline in traffic.
Young could enable the Bengals to put Chase in the slot while still having two serious deep threats on the outside. It is crazy to think that he could actually allow them to somehow get more out of Chase, but that is exactly the case.
If teams go one high, that lone deep safety can’t help on both Higgins and Young. If they go two high, that is one less underneath defender to account for Chase, Mike Gesicki, and Chase Brown underneath.
Young may not put up big numbers as a rookie, but his impact could very well elevate what’s already one of, if not the best, passing attacks in the NFL.
