Three Cincinnati Bengals Rookies Who Could See Significant Playing Time in 2026

The Cincinnati Bengals' new rookie class will have the opportunity to separate itself from the rest. The Bengals addressed several needs in the 2026 NFL Draft, and while some selections will take a season or two to develop before playing significant snaps, a few have a clear path to making an impact right away. Here are three of Cincinnati's rookies who are most likely to see the field early and often in 2026.

Honorable Mention: Jack Endries

Endries is an intriguing name as training camp nears. The tight end room is one of the most crowded on the roster, with seven players participating in camp. Mike Gesicki, Tanner Hudson and Drew Sample all return as veterans in the offense, while Erick All Jr. will be looking to return to the form he showed before his injury. Endries has a steeper uphill battle than the other three names on this list, but the seventh-round pick has plenty of upside that could land him in the rotation.

3. Colbie Young

The wide receiver room is crowded at the top with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but Young will have the opportunity to compete for the No. 3 wide receiver role. Drafted in the fourth round out of Georgia, his size and contested-catch ability make him a potential red-zone threat. He'll likely contribute on special teams to start, but he is a name to watch as he competes with Andrei Iosivas and Charlie Jones for playing time when training camp begins.

2. Tacario Davis

Davis was selected in the third round out of Washington and brings much-needed size to the Bengals' secondary. He stands 6-foot-4 and pairs his length with a 4.41-second 40-yard dash, giving him the athletic profile to fit into Al Golden's defense. He's currently slotted second on the depth chart at one of the cornerback positions, but he'll have the chance to develop into a starter as the season progresses. Don't be surprised if he's seeing the bulk of the snaps at corner by the halfway point of the season.

1. Cashius Howell

The Bengals signed Boye Mafe to slot in as a starter on one side of the defensive line, but the other side is completely up for grabs. Myles Murphy hasn't played at a starter's level through his first three NFL seasons, and with Shemar Stewart struggling to find his footing during his rookie year, the door is wide open for Howell. The second-round pick out of Texas A&M has the clearest path to a starting role in 2026 and is a breakout candidate for Cincinnati this season.