Cincy Jungle

Fourth-round rookie receiver emerging as a major offensive training camp storyline; the source indicates Young is looking like he could very well become WR3 at some point this season, positioning him as a potential depth contributor for the Bengals offense.

Bengals cornerback DJ Turner II is positioned for improved fantasy defensive performance in 2024 after tying for third in the NFL with 18 passes defensed last season. Jonathan Allen, a new defensive addition, praised Turner as "probably the fastest guy I've ever played with"—a comparison that carries weight given Allen's experience with Isaiah Rodgers (4.28-second 40-yard dash) in Minnesota and Marlon Humphrey (4.41-second 40-yard dash) at Alabama. The Bengals' significant defensive line upgrades are expected to force quarterbacks to get rid of the ball earlier, which should amplify Turner's pass defense opportunities and coverage effectiveness.

Brooks is grouped at RB3 on the Bengals' first 2026 depth chart, behind Chase Brown (RB1) and Samaje Perine (RB2), indicating a backup role in the running back rotation.

Perine is cemented as RB2 on the Bengals' first 2026 depth chart, alone at the position while Tahj Brooks and others are grouped at RB3. Despite being 31 years old in September, the source notes Perine will get plenty of playing time and remains a major part of the offense.

Brown is listed as RB1 on the Bengals' first 2026 depth chart, establishing him as the lead running back in the offense.

Endries is listed among the tight ends on the Bengals' 2026 depth chart behind Drew Sample and Mike Gesicki, indicating a backup role in the tight end rotation.

All Jr. is listed among the tight ends on the Bengals' 2026 depth chart behind Drew Sample and Mike Gesicki, indicating a backup role in the tight end rotation.

Hudson is listed among the tight ends on the Bengals' 2026 depth chart behind Drew Sample and Mike Gesicki, indicating a backup role in the tight end rotation.

Gesicki is identified as the primary pass catcher from the tight end position on the Bengals' 2026 offense, though the source characterizes him more as a slot receiver than traditional tight end. This indicates he will be the lead target at the position despite Sample being listed as TE1.

Sample is listed as TE1 on the Bengals' first 2026 depth chart, separated from other tight ends on the roster including Tanner Hudson, Erick All Jr., and Jack Endries. The source notes the tight end situation will be fluid depending on offensive situation, with Mike Gesicki serving as the primary pass catcher from the position.

Jones is listed as WR4 on the Bengals' first 2026 depth chart, positioned behind Iosivas. He also holds the top spot on the depth chart as a return specialist, giving him dual-role value in the offense.

Young is listed as WR6 on the Bengals' first 2026 depth chart, positioned behind Tee Higgins in the receiver rotation. This placement reflects his standing in the wide receiver hierarchy behind Chase, Higgins, Iosivas, Tinsley, and Jones.

Iosivas is listed as WR3 on the Bengals' first 2026 depth chart behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The source notes he is a talented receiver who has done the most damage on the field in the regular season among non-Chase/Higgins receivers on the roster, establishing him as the clear third option in the passing game.

Burrow expressed confidence in Erick All Jr.'s physical condition and role in the 2026 offense, saying 'He looks fit, fast, explosive. He'll play a big role for us this year,' indicating the quarterback expects All to be a significant contributor in the passing game and offensive scheme.

Joe Burrow expressed enthusiasm about All Jr.'s return from knee injury, stating 'It's great to have him back... He looks fit, fast, explosive. He'll play a big role for us this year.' All was drafted in the fourth round in 2022 to address the Bengals' need for a do-it-all tight end who can both catch and block; early in 2024 he appeared to be transforming the offense before suffering an injury that sidelined him through 2025. Now healthy, All has the potential to change the Bengals offense into an entirely different beast if he can stay healthy.

Ja'Marr Chase commented on Joe Burrow's demeanor and aggression in training camp, saying "I like it when he's [expletive] pissed. I'm not gonna lie. I like the fire that he is." Chase noted Burrow's demeanor is more aggressive overall—his face, the way he talks, and his attitude—and that Burrow has shown this fire only once or twice since camp started. The source frames this as evidence that Burrow is taking the reins as a vocal leader and trying to will the team to win, having thrown his weight around to keep both Chase and Tee Higgins on the roster.

Chase Brown averaged 104.7 combined rushing and receiving yards over the final 11 games last season. QB Joe Burrow praised him in training camp, saying "He's taken a leap every single year and that's been exciting to watch. I can't say enough good things about him." The source notes Brown flies under the radar of the high-powered Bengals offense but could prove to be a missing piece the offense needs to truly get over the hump.

WR caught pass from Joe Burrow toward end zone on opening drive; appeared to score but replay review suggests Bralyn Lux may have knocked ball out before breaking plane of goal line. Contested reception play highlights red zone involvement.

WR with strong camp performance; caught three completions from Burrow on opening drive (slants and in routes), then scored on jump ball touchdown. Winning matchups against defensive backs including D.J. Ivey.

Looked sharp at Sunday's practice with three completions to Tee Higgins on opening drive (slants and in routes), followed by corner route touchdown to Yoshi. Later found Higgins on jump ball touchdown; demonstrating effective under-center offense execution.

Brown is making his case for a prominent role in the Bengals offense during what could be a pivotal season for him. The source notes he has produced offensive highlights during camp as the team experiments with more 13-personnel looks.

Higgins is part of the dangerous passing attack with Joe Burrow, demonstrating the chemistry that makes Cincinnati's offense a threat. Burrow continues to show strong connection with Higgins alongside Ja'Marr Chase during camp.

Chase has taken notice of Dexter Lawrence's disruptive impact on the defense and continues to demonstrate the chemistry with Joe Burrow that makes Cincinnati's passing attack dangerous. Chase is part of the offensive highlights the Bengals have produced during camp.

Burrow and the Bengals offense entered camp with sky-high expectations but have been consistently challenged by the revamped defense through the first seven practices. Despite this defensive pressure, Burrow continues to show strong chemistry with his receivers, particularly Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, demonstrating the chemistry that makes Cincinnati's passing attack dangerous.

Erick All, a local prospect, hasn't taken a snap since 2024 and has been dealing with a knee injury that originated in college. He is reportedly healthy as of the source's writing, but his injury history and recovery status remain a concern for his 2026 availability and impact on the Bengals' tight end depth chart.

Drew Sample is the second tight end on the Bengals' depth chart above Hudson, but he functions primarily as an H-Back, playing in that role as much or more than he does at tight end. He is a better blocker than Hudson.

Mike Gesicki is the top tight end on the Bengals' depth chart but functions as a slot receiver rather than a traditional tight end. This role distinction is important for understanding the Bengals' tight end usage and how other tight ends like Hudson fit into the offense.

Hudson is third on the Bengals' tight end depth chart behind Mike Gesicki and Drew Sample. The biggest threat to Hudson's 2026 playing time is Erick All, a local prospect who hasn't taken a snap since 2024 due to a knee injury that started in college. If All stays healthy, he will cut into Hudson's playing time; if All remains injured, Hudson could serve as the TE3.

Hudson has carved out a reliable role as a depth tight end for the Bengals despite not being the top option on the depth chart. He's not as good of a blocker as Drew Sample and not the receiver Mike Gesicki is, but he can do both when asked and does both well. He has garnered the trust of Joe Burrow and has remained a dependable depth piece, catching 19 passes in both the 2024 and 2025 seasons after posting career highs with 39 receptions for 352 yards and his first NFL touchdown in 2023.

Chase Brown broke free for a touchdown run during the post-weather-delay portion of practice, taking one untouched to the house. The source notes the offensive line left no doubt on the explosive run, validating offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher's earlier comments about the running game having plenty of explosive runs.

Burrow showed signs of life post-weather delay after the offense had struggled early in camp. His best throw of camp was a deep bomb to Chase, and he delivered a great sideline ball to Chase even with Dexter Lawrence in his face and knocking him down—a throw not many quarterbacks could execute. The source notes this demonstrates what makes Burrow great.

Chase featured prominently in Bengals training camp highlights post-weather delay, completing multiple deep ball connections with Joe Burrow including his first deep ball completion of camp and a sideline grab. Burrow's best throw of camp was a bomb on the money to Chase, demonstrating the primary receiving target's continued chemistry with the quarterback and ability to get behind the defense.

Running back featured in a counter play example during training camp where Dexter Lawrence made an exceptional defensive play, reaching around and grabbing Brown despite right guard Dalton Risner executing his block correctly. Head coach Zac Taylor used this play to illustrate Lawrence's rare ability to make plays even when the offensive line executes properly.

Rookie fourth-round wide receiver out of Georgia competing for the third receiver role. Young has more athleticism than Andrei Iosivas and has been making show-stopping plays in training camp—making catches at the highest point and between defenders over the middle. Competing for snaps when tight end Mike Gesicki and others don't get the work.

Third wide receiver role is in serious question heading into preseason. Last season Iosivas had nice moments but also serious reliability issues with key drops over quite a few games; hasn't done enough with the opportunity afforded to him by coverages being more lax while defenses focused on Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. More dynamic athleticism at the position could open up the offense even more.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor confirmed starters will play in the preseason opener against Detroit Lions next Thursday, with Burrow expected to see action. Burrow previously played in both preseason games last year, going 9-of-10 for 123 yards and 2 TDs vs Philadelphia and engineering a TD drive vs Washington. Burrow had expressed a desire to start training camp immediately after minicamp, indicating eagerness for game action; getting preseason snaps before the regular season is a positive development for his preparation.

Struggling in WR3 competition during training camp with drops and consistency issues despite being positioned to fill the Bengals' third-receiver vacancy. In a contract year, Iosivas has had difficulty beating the weaker coverage afforded by Chase and Higgins drawing attention, raising concerns about his ability to secure the role against fourth-round rookie Colbie Young.

Fourth-round rookie WR making a strong case for the Bengals' WR3 role in training camp competition against Andrei Iosivas. Young has impressed with athletic profile, reliable hands, ability to win single coverage, and demonstrated playmaking over the middle; the Bengals drafted him specifically to address the lack of a consistent third option behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins since Tyler Boyd's departure, and Young's performance suggests he can fill that vacancy.

Elite wide receiver providing direct feedback on Dexter Lawrence's disruptive impact during training camp. Chase delivered the loudest endorsement of Lawrence's defensive presence, stating: 'Honestly, he's been terrorizing practice. I can honestly say that.' Source notes this is 'about as glowing a compliment as a wide receiver can give a defensive tackle,' underscoring the exceptional nature of Lawrence's camp performance.

Franchise quarterback forced to adjust offensive operation due to Dexter Lawrence's disruptive interior presence. Burrow admitted Lawrence has forced the offense to speed up its operation because the pocket doesn't stay clean for very long; explained offense has to 'get that thing out' faster when Lawrence collapses the middle, adding that the All-Pro defensive tackle has looked the part during opening days of camp. Burrow has faced elite interior defenders throughout his career and acknowledged Lawrence's dominance.