Bengals Draft Prospect Could Give Joe Burrow a Dynamic New Weapon

Mississippi State's Brenen Thompson is a top wide receiver prospect with elite speed and big-play ability.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Cincinnati Bengals have a talented wide receiver corps led by Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but they could look to add more speed and playmaking ability in the 2026 NFL Draft. One prospect generating buzz is Mississippi State's Brenen Thompson, a 5'9" speedster who is projected to be a top-50 pick.

Why it matters

Adding a dynamic playmaker like Thompson could give Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow another dangerous weapon in the passing game, especially when Chase and Higgins are drawing extra attention from defenses. Thompson's elite speed and big-play ability could provide a much-needed boost to the Bengals' offense.

The details

Thompson had a standout 2025 season, catching 57 passes for 1,054 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also showed his versatility by rushing for 14 yards and a score, and returning a punt 44 yards. Analysts praise Thompson's "twitchy" movement skills and ability to make difficult catches downfield. He's projected to run the 40-yard dash in under 4.3 seconds, which would make him one of the fastest players in the draft.

  • Thompson had his breakout season in 2025 at Mississippi State.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April/May 2026.

The players

Brenen Thompson

A 5'9", 170-pound wide receiver from Mississippi State who is generating buzz as a potential top-50 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft due to his elite speed and big-play ability.

Joe Burrow

The star quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals, who could benefit from adding another dynamic weapon to his offense.

Ja'Marr Chase

The Bengals' star wide receiver who, along with Tee Higgins, forms one of the NFL's top receiving duos.

Tee Higgins

The Bengals' other star wide receiver who, along with Ja'Marr Chase, forms one of the NFL's top receiving duos.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Mississippi State's Brenen Thompson is the twitchiest mover in the WR class. Big play waiting to happen. Will be a Top-50 player on my board”

— Mike Renner, CBS Sports NFL Draft analyst (Twitter)

“Thompson is a tough, explosive and fun wide receiver. He makes over the shoulder catches, Willie Mays style, look easy. He is a gamer as well. The game winning touchdown against Arizona State in 2025 showed off his route running to confuse the defensive backs on who had the route and the speed to take the catch to the house.”

— Thomas Martinez, College Football HQ writer (College Football HQ)

What’s next

Thompson is projected to be a top-50 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which means the Bengals could target him with one of their second-round selections (No. 41 or No. 72 overall).

The takeaway

The Bengals have a talented wide receiver corps, but adding a dynamic playmaker like Brenen Thompson could give their offense an extra dimension and help take pressure off of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Thompson's elite speed and big-play ability could make him a valuable asset for the Bengals as they look to build on their recent success.