With the 140th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals selected Georgia wide receiver Colbie Young.
After trading 10th overall for Dexter Lawrence and spending Day 2 adding to the defense, the Bengals go offense twice in the fourth round. After selecting Connor Lew to be their center of the future, they added to the wide receiver room with Young.
At 6-foot-4, 218 pounds, it is easy to like the prospect of Young in the Bengals’ offense, but a broken leg last season cost Young significant
time. He was able to make it back for the College Football Playoff. He started his college career at Miami before transferring to Georgia.
Young missed time in 2024 following an arrest and suspension, but he was later placed on probation and fined before being welcomed back to the football team.
What Colbie Young brings to the Bengals
Size: His 6-foot-4 frame is something the Bengals have historically valued in a receiver, and he could be a contributor in the red zone. Young is the same height as Tee Higgins, and a red zone package with Higgins, Mike Gesicki, and Young could be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
Run After Catch: Young is flat-out hard to bring down. He consistently beats individual tacklers and requires multiple players to get him to the ground. As the defense focuses on Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins, Young could be the weapon the Bengals were hoping Germaine Burton could be against single coverage.
High-point Specialist: Young is great at using his body to shield defenders, while his large hands help him excel in contested catch situations. Young is going to come down with the 50/50 balls more often than not when he’s on the field.
Why the Bengals picked Colbie Young
Germaine Burton’s Departure: Burton was supposed to be yet another explosive addition to the wide receiver room, but he was never able to put it together. While the Bengals like Andrei Iosivas, he doesn’t have some of the physical traits the Bengals covet. After releasing Burton last season, the Bengals are taking another risk to replace him.
Iosivas Contract: Iosivas is also scheduled to be a free agent after the 2026 season, so there is no guarantee he is in the building beyond this year. The Bengals have been known to draft the replacement for a player they plan to move on from, so that could be the case here.
Big Play Ability: They already have two big play wideouts in Chase and Higgins, but Young panning out would bring yet another dynamic to an already explosive offense. With all of the attention directed at the top two receivers, the Bengals are hoping they have found a true, big-time threat that can make a defense pay.
Young is certainly a risk given his off-field issues and injury history, but he has all the traits to become a very underrated pick. This feels very similar to drafting Burton, so we will all hope for better results.
