Jun 4, 2026, 6:00 PM ET

After battling a broken leg and legal issues in his final year at Georgia, Colbie Young was projected as a receiver prospect who could potentially go undrafted. Still, the Cincinnati Bengals called his name in the fourth round of April's draft. After running a 4.49-second 40-yard dash at February's combine despite elite height (6'5") and weight (218 pounds) for the position, it wasn't a surprise to see Cincinnati be the team that took the risk on the talented wideout, when the team has Tee Higgins, a physical doppelganger, in one of its featured wide receiver roles. Similar to Higgins' production profile, Young averaged at least 13.5 yards per catch in each of his final two collegiate seasons. Obviously, any Bengals draft choice looking for touches in an offense with Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase, Chase Brown, and tight end Mike Gesicki is going to be left scraping the bottom of the barrel for touches. Still, Young's physical stature gives him a leg up over Mitch Tinsley and Andrei Iosivas for snaps in Higgins' boundary role should something happen. After all, the former Pro Bowler has missed 12 games in the last three seasons. A long-term "boom" from Young's selection could mean eventually replacing Higgins for cap relief, but his 2026 outlook seems strictly to handle backup duties. While the rookie might end up featured in weekly wire pickup recommendations this fall if Higgins goes down, he's mainly an option in dynasty leagues for now.--Austin Swaim