CJ #15

Charlie Jones

Wide Receiver · Purdue

A record-setting college receiver at Purdue who has become one of the most dangerous return men in Bengals history.

Charlie Jones is a wide receiver and return specialist for the Cincinnati Bengals whose journey through three different college programs led to a breakout final season and an NFL role as a game-changing return threat. He pairs reserve receiver duties with a featured spot on special teams.

★ Led the FBS in receptions (110) in 2022 at Purdue

★ Second-team All-American (2022)

★ Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year (2021)

★ One of two players in Bengals history with three-plus career return touchdowns

Path to the league

Jones played college football at Buffalo, Iowa and finally Purdue, where his 2022 season put him on the national map: he led the entire FBS in receptions with 110, ranked second in receiving yards with 1,361 and finished fifth in receiving touchdowns with 12. That production earned him Second-team All-American honors, Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year in 2021, and multiple First-team All-Big Ten selections. The Cincinnati Bengals selected him in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the 131st overall pick.

Career highlights

Jones has become Cincinnati's primary kickoff and punt returner while also contributing as a reserve wide receiver. He has scored two touchdowns on kickoff returns and one on a punt return, making him just the second player in Bengals franchise history, alongside former cornerback Lemar Parrish, to record at least three return touchdowns.

2025 season recap

Jones remained Cincinnati's go-to return man in 2025, continuing to provide field-position value on special teams while working in as a depth receiver in the passing game behind the Bengals' top targets.