Bengals Player Profile: Colbie Young’s putting the past behind him with golden opportunity in front of him
The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Colbie Young earlier than when the consensus expected him to go off the board, but they believe he can be a starting wideout, even as a rookie.
We’re 52 days away from the Cincinnati Bengals’ preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. Leading up to the end of the preseason, we will be covering the entirety of the Bengals’ 90-man roster. Check out previous player profiles here.
Up next on the series is a rookie looking to have a much better NFL career than how his college days went.
Colbie Young Player Profile
Age: 23
Year: Rookie
Position: Wide receiver
College: Georiga
Jersey Number: 86
Colbie Young was selected with the No. 140 pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Bengals. Young spent five years at the collegiate level at three different programs. After one year at Lackawanna College in Pennsylvania, he transferred to the University of Miami and played two years for the Hurricanes (2022-23). He started virtually all of 2023 and had his best season with 47 receptions for 563 yards and five touchdowns. He used the year to transfer one more time to Georgia in 2024.
Young was suspended by Georgia after just five games with the program. He was arrested on misdemeanor charges of battery and assault on Oct. 8, 2024. The incident report obtained by ESPN states a 20-year-old woman, who described herself as Young’s ex-girlfriend, visited Young at his apartment around midnight the night before to discuss their relationship. An altercation allegedly occurred, and Georgia decided to separate itself from him while the investigation ensued. He eventually pleaded no contest to a lesser charge of disorderly conduct on Jan. 29 2025, and received 12 months probation.
Georgia reinstated Young for the 2025 season, but his season was derailed due to a fractured left fibula with a torn ligament. He had surgery and managed to come back after six games. He only played 13 games for the Bulldogs.
Contract details
Young signed a four-year, $5,169,036 rookie contract with the Bengals. His base salary for 2026 is the minimum $885,000. He’s also getting $789,036 as a signing bonus. His cash figure for the year is $1,674,036, and his salary cap hit will be $1,082,259.
Roster outlook
The Bengals drafted Young earlier than when the consensus expected him to go off the board, but they believe he can be a starting wideout. At 6-4 and 218 pounds, he’s the prototype X receiver who can also provide mismatches in the slot. That versatility will grant him chances to play significant snaps as a rookie if Andrei Iosivas doesn’t progress, or injuries take out Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins at some point.
Fourth-rounders do not get cut prior to their first years actually beginning. Young is a lock for the roster. The only question is how much he will play, and how serious is Cincinnati in having him compete for snaps? Training camp will be quite telling in that regard.
Roster odds: 100%