Who Should I Start? Jacob Cowing or Colbie Young

Sunday, August 23, 6:20 AM

Cincinnati Bengals rookie wide receiver Colbie Young caught three of his eight targets in Saturday night's preseason win over the Bears, racking up 48 yards and a touchdown. Through two preseason games, Young leads the team in targets and yards, and the 2026 fourth-round pick has emerged as a potential third receiver option behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The role has been held over much of the past three seasons by 2023 sixth-round pick Andrei Iosivas, but in games with both Chase and Higgins active, the 26-year-old has struggled to find any consistent production. While few receivers league-wide are capable of threatening the Bengals' top duo for consistent volume, Young is a toolsy prospect who ran a 4.49-second 40-yard dash at 218 pounds, and in an offense coming into the season healthy and projected to be among the league's highest-scoring units, he has spike week potential as a deep best ball sleeper. With his strong training camp translating into in-game scenarios, it could be a matter of time before Young overtakes Iosivas and earns a significant role in three-receiver sets.