At the end of the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals decided to select former Georgia Bulldogs wideout Colbie Young. Nonetheless, the decision isn’t without controversy, given the player’s off-field issues.
Young missed parts of the last two seasons with a fractured leg and a suspension after being charged with battery and assault on an unborn child, with those charges later dropped, per Jaron May of WLWT.
After making that decision, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor spoke to the media on April 25 and explained why the team is taking a chance on Young despite his past issues.
“There have been times I have signed up for a great risk in the past,” Taylor said (h/t Jaron May of WLWT). “I have put my hand up when there are maybe some of those red flags. This is one I feel great about because you go through the process over the last seven years, and guys I have had to spend a lot of time with once we acquired them and got them in here, guys I wanted, and sometimes it is more difficult than others.
“This is one I feel great about, and I feel great that everyone is going to feel that when they get a chance to see both these guys in the locker room and get around them and get to know their personalities more. I feel extremely comfortable. I am good.”
Bengals WR Colbie Young Addresses Off-the-Field Issues
Meanwhile, Young also spoke with the media on April 25, discussing the off-the-field concerns any team would have and offering a message for anyone who has trepidations about this selection.
“For them to take me in this round, this pick right now, there is nothing but love and respect for them,” Young said (h/t Mike Petraglia of ESPN 1530). “I respect that. They are getting an individual who is not really portrayed on social media.
“They are getting a guy who is ready to work, someone who wishes he had more time and was able to put more tape out there in college. For them to trust me and take me with this pick right now, there is nothing but love for Cincinnati.”
Al Golden Talks Cashius Howell Draft Selection
Meanwhile, with the No. 41 pick in the second round, the Bengals took former Texas A&M star Cashius Howell to add more depth to their pass rush and likely not give the opposition’s offensive line a breather.
Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden explained the reason behind the decision to select Howell, who is bringing certain traits that made him an easy decision for the team.
“He was far and away the highest guy that we had and couldn’t believe he kept falling to us, to be honest with you,” Golden said (h/t Jaron May of WLWT). “We couldn’t have been more thrilled when he was there for us. [Howell] is a dynamic pass rusher with great production, not average production, great production.
“He is a motor guy who can play a 4-2 edge [and] he can play outside linebacker if you go to five-down or bigger personnel; he has shown proficiency with the ability to drop into coverage and can help us on special teams. He is a multifaceted athlete and a really, really twitchy player.”
Bengals Send Clear Message Over Colbie Young Draft Decision