Sample was on the field for 49 of the Bengals' 71 snaps on offense and recorded two receptions for 13 yards on two targets in Monday's 27-20 win over the Cowboys. Sample comfortably paced Bengals tight ends in playing time, logging more snaps than Mike Gesicki (20), Cam Grandy (17) and Tanner Hudson (14). While it's not out of the ordinary for Sample to lead the group in snaps, he functions primarily as a blocker when he's on the field and typically isn't as involved in the passing game compared to Gesicki and Hudson, both of whom have logged more targets, receptions and receiving yards on the season.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Drew Sample news
Team
Cincinnati Bengals
Birthdate
4/16/1996 (28)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'5", 260 lbs
Draft Info
2019: Rd 2; Pk (CIN)
Birthplace
Bellevue, WA, USA
Position
TE
College
Washington
Experience
6 seasons
Career History
Cincinnati Bengals
2019-Present
(6 seasons)
Sample was on the field for 49 of the Bengals' 71 snaps on offense and recorded two receptions for 13 yards on two targets in Monday's 27-20 win over the Cowboys. Sample comfortably paced Bengals tight ends in playing time, logging more snaps than Mike Gesicki (20), Cam Grandy (17) and Tanner Hudson (14). While it's not out of the ordinary for Sample to lead the group in snaps, he functions primarily as a blocker when he's on the field and typically isn't as involved in the passing game compared to Gesicki and Hudson, both of whom have logged more targets, receptions and receiving yards on the season.
Sample recorded two receptions for eight yards on two targets in Sunday's 44-38 loss to the Steelers. Sample's 39 snaps paced all Cincinnati tight ends, ranking ahead of Mike Gesicki (27), Tanner Hudson (12) and Cam Grandy (nine). Though he's now played more than half of Cincinnati's offensive snaps in each of the last four games, Sample brings most of his value as a blocker and isn't as involved in the passing game as Gesicki and Hudson. Sample has still managed to produce a 7-31-1 receiving line on eight targets over that four-game stretch, exceeding his combined output from the first eight weeks of the season (four catches for 28 yards and no touchdowns on five targets).
Sample did not see any targets in Thursday's loss to the Ravens. Sample had his best game of the season with four catches and a touchdown in Week 9 against Las Vegas, but he was back to being a non-factor Thursday. Meanwhile, Bengals No. 1 tight end Mike Gesicki caught four passes on nine targets for 30 yards against Baltimore and Tanner Hudson notched six catches on seven targets for 42 yards and a touchdown. Sample did finish second among the team's tight ends with 46 offensive snaps, but with zero receptions in seven of his 10 contests this season, he can't be counted on for offensive production on a weekly basis.
Sample hauled in all four of his targets for 14 yards and a touchdown during the Bengals' win over the Raiders on win. Sample was one of four different Cincinnati receivers to haul in a touchdown pass from Joe Burrow during Sunday's blowout win. Sample has now caught eight of his nine targets for 42 yards and a touchdown across nine games this season.
Sample didn't draw a target while playing 26 of the Bengals' 53 snaps on offense in Sunday's 17-7 win over the Giants. Though Sample paced the Bengals four active tight ends in snaps, the rookie Erick All was the only member of the quartet that drew a target on the evening. Sample has handled snap shares north of 40 percent in each of Cincinnati's first four contest, but he's on the field primarily for his prowess as a blocker. He's been targeted just four times across his 169 offensive snaps on the season.
Sample secured all three of his targets for 28 yards in Sunday's 26-25 loss to the Chiefs. Sample played 33 of the Bengals' 64 offensive snaps, splitting time with fellow tight ends Mike Gesicki and Erick All. The veteran's minimal production is to be expected with Gesicki operating as the clear top option at tight end while seeing a team-high nine targets in the contest. Going forward, Sample should not be trusted for fantasy purposes. The Bengals will host the Commanders in Week 3.
Sample failed to record a single target in Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Patriots. Despite not seeing a target Sunday, Sample played the most offensive snaps (27) of any Cincinnati tight end. The Bengals found it hard to move the ball against a formidable New England defense, and the veteran tight end wasn't a factor in the passing game. Teammate Mike Gesicki was the preferred target at tight end for Joe Burrow, seeing four targets in the contest. Sample will likely continue to see an uphill battle for targets when the Bengals square off against the Chiefs in Week 2.
Sample has signed a three-year contract extension with the Bengals. Per Ben Baby of ESPN.com, the deal is worth $10.5 million. Sample is coming off a 2023 camapign in which he recorded 22 catches for 163 yards and two touchdowns in 17 regular season games. While the 2019 second-rounder is back in the fold, Sample's potential workload, and in turn fantasy upside, in 2024 hinges on what other moves the Bengals make at the tight end position in free agency and the draft.