Colbie Young Continues to Impress as Bengals’ WR3 Battle Heats Up

The Cincinnati Bengals played their first preseason game this past Thursday, and while their starters and star players got some action, it was mainly an opportunity for many of the Bengals' rookies and younger players to prove they can play a role this upcoming season.  While tight end Jack Endries had a big day, with multiple receptions and a score, former CFL receiver Dohnte Meyers continues to impress as maybe one of the best stories on the team, and interior defensive lineman Landon Robinson showed off his pass-rushing chops; wide receiver Colbie Young had an impressive day. The former Georgia Bulldog posted two receptions and 28 yards. He was targeted four times and even got a snap or two with the starters while they were still in the game in the first quarter.  Just two days later, at practice, Joe Flacco targeted Colbie Young in the end zone at practice, and he high-pointed a ball for a contested-catch touchdown, building on multiple great performances as he continues to push for the third wide receiver role in the Bengals offense, which is currently in the hands of Andrei Iosivas, as it has been for multiple seasons.  Young’s size makes him a very interesting prospect in the Bengals offense. He and Tee Higgins have basically identical frames, standing 6-4 to 6-5 and weighing 218 pounds. With a guy with that frame that you take in the mid-rounds, you’re just hoping he can take care of the basics in his first training camp. Does he catch the ball? Does he understand the playbook? Does he merge with the locker room, or is he a cancer?  Young seems to be checking all those boxes, definitely the first, as he’s made lots of impressive catches. He’s been maybe the most impressive wide receiver draftee since Ja’Marr Chase, as the list outside of Young includes Jermaine Burton, Charlie Jones, and Andrei Iosivas, who were drafted in 2022 or later. In addition, Iosivas continues to miss opportunities that could solidify him as the WR3. He’s struggled with drops, and again today couldn’t reel in what would have been a great catch against DJ Turner. There might not be a more important offensive player to watch throughout the remainder of the preseason than Young. Young is a player of that caliber, drafted as a high-ceiling talent, who can actually help the offense a lot. The impact that a guy can make just by taking some attention away from both Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase can’t be understated.