The Bengals are one of multiple teams that have expressed interest in Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Wide receivers coach Troy Walters put Brazzell through a workout during the Volunteers Pro Day on Tuesday.
“The Bengals coach (Walters) was giving me routes to run,” Brazzell told reporters. “NFL routes.”
Brazzell spent the past two seasons in Knoxville. He tallied a career-high 62 catches for 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns for the Volunteers last season.
Fit With Bengals
Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II (17) yells in celebration after scoring a touchdown during a NCAA football game between Tennessee and Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, on September 13, 2025. | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Wide receiver is a sneaky need for the Bengals. Andrei Iosivas and Charlie Jones are entering the final year of their rookie contracts. Yes, they have Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but having a reliable third option is important. Cincinnati hoped Jermaine Burton would develop into that, but it never happened.
Brazzell ran a 4.37 40-yard dash and is a tall wide receiver that would give Joe Burrow another weapon that has a big catch radius.
Walters put Brazzell through a workout and was looking at the Tennessee product closely. If the Bengals like what they see, they would likely have to target Brazzell in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s ranked 50th on the consensus board, which means Cincinnati would likely have to take him with the 41st overall pick.
What Scouts Are Saying
Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II (17) moves the ball while grabbed by New Mexico State safety Armahn Hale (2) during an NCAA college football game on November 15, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. | Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Lance Zierlein shared major praise for Brazzell and gave him a 6.36 overall score, which puts the Volunteers wide receiver in the “will eventually be a plus starter” category. Brazzell is ranked 35th on Zierlein’s big board.
“Long-limbed ‘Z’ receiver with the ability to create downfield for an offense thirsty to make more explosive plays outside,” Zierlein wrote. “Brazzell’s 2025 tape shows the game slowing down for him, allowing the production to catch up with the traits. He builds to speed with long strides and dominates above the rim. He’s adept at using length and body control to capture air space against cornerbacks. He’s a more competent route runner than most field-stretcher types, but he needs to become more physical on contested targets underneath. Brazzell didn’t see many in-your-face press challenges this past season, but he’s likely to get an early taste of it as a pro. Two-high shells and zone-heavy looks can shrink his snap-to-snap impact, but the quick-strike potential is real.”
Adding a speedy downfield threat alongside Chase and Higgins is ideal. The Bengals need to produce more explosive plays. Brazzell has that ability and could be a player Cincinnati targets on day two of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell ran routes for the #Bengals today, per @tenn_athletics / Instagram. pic.twitter.com/RaM3tua9kO
— WDU | Whodeyupdates (@whodeyupdates) April 1, 2026
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