DREW SAMPLE NEWS

Catches only target in loss Sample caught his only target for 14 yards during Sunday's 26-23 overtime loss to the 49ers.

Impact Sample was on the field for 18 of the Bengals' 67 offensive snaps, while starting tight end C.J. Uzomah played 58 snaps. The 25-year-old has just seven catches on the season and typically serves as a blocker when he is on the field. Sample offers little fantasy value as a No. 2 tight end on a team with numerous pass-catching options.

DECEMBER 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not targeted in loss Sample failed to draw a single target in Sunday's 41-22 loss to the Chargers.

Impact Sample was on the field for 26 of the Bengals' 76 offensive snaps in the contest, while starting tight end C.J. Uzomah played 66 snaps. Sample offers little fantasy value as a No. 2 tight end, as the 25-year-old typically serves as the blocker on the rare occasions he's on the field.

DECEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not targeted in win Sample failed to draw a target in Sunday's 41-10 win over the Steelers.

Impact Sample played 39 of the Bengals' 68 offensive snaps, just six fewer than starting tight end C.J. Uzomah. The 25-year-old usually isn't a big part of the Cincinnati passing attack even in competitive contests or in games when the Bengals are in catchup mode, but Sample's involvement was even more muted than normal with quarterback Joe Burrow attempting just 24 passes -- his second-fewest of the season -- in the blowout win. Instead, Joe Mixon and the running game was the focal point of the team's offense Week 12.

DECEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Most productive outing of season Sample logged three receptions for 36 yards on three targets Sunday in the Bengals' 41-16 loss to the Browns.

Impact After falling behind by two touchdowns at halftime and by 24 points after three quarters, the Bengals were forced to abandon the run. As a result, Sample and fellow tight end C.J. Uzomah (five targets) had fewer blocking responsibilities and were more involved as route runners than usual. The four targets were a season-high total for Sample, who hadn't drawn a look in the passing game in either of the Bengals' prior two contests.

NOVEMBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Catches two passes Sample secured two of four targets for nine yards in Sunday's 25-22 loss to the Packers.

Impact Sample saw his first offensive snaps in Week 5, having only played on special teams to start the year. The 25-year-old was in on 21 of the team's 67 offensive snaps, compared to the 56 snaps played by C.J. Uzomah, the team's No. 1 tight end. Sample is irrelevant for fantasy purposes, but an injury to Uzomah would clear a path to more opportunities within the offense. Even then, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd would continue to demand the most looks in the passing game. The Bengals get a Week 6 matchup against the winless Lions.

OCTOBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

After statement win over Steelers, Bengals prep for 0-3 Jags

The Cincinnati Bengals played one of their most consistent and complete games of the Joe Burrow era Sunday in a 24-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers

SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Behind Uzomah on depth chart Sample enters the season behind C.J. Uzomah on the Bengals' initial depth chart.

Impact Last season in the only game in which Uzomah was healthy, Sample saw action on 24 offensive snaps and received just one target. The Bengals run with an "11" formation as much as anyone in the NFL, so it's possible that Sample's workload will mirror what happened in Week 1 last season more than the workload he received after Uzomah got hurt.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Bengals: Drew Sample disrespected in latest PFF tight end rankings The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Drew Sample in the second round in 2019 hoping that he could be the next big thing at tight end. Sample never...

MAY 24, 2021 • STRIPEHYPE.COM

Tight end Drew Sample is exactly what the Bengals expected Tight end Drew Sample was the Bengals surprise second-round pick of 2019. What have we learned about Sample in his first two seasons other t...

JANUARY 29, 2021 • STRIPEHYPE.COM

Shows improvement in second year Sample finished the 2020 season with 40 catches for 349 yards and his first NFL touchdown.

Impact While Sample won't be drawing comparisons to Travis Kelce anytime soon, the 2019 second-round pick from the University of Washington did make important strides, taking advantage of the playing time resulting from C.J. Uzomah's season-ending injury.

JANUARY 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Notches first career TD Sample caught an eight-yard touchdown pass in Sunday's 37-31 win over the Texans.

Impact The 2019 second-round pick has produced some notable games this season with C.J. Uzomah (Achilles) out of the picture, but this was his first trip to the end zone. Sample has now produced a 38-334-1 line on 50 targets this season.

DECEMBER 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Bengals beat Texans 37-31 for first road win since 2018

Samaje Perine ran for two touchdowns, including a 3-yard score late, to give the Cincinnati Bengals their first road win in more than two years with a 37-31 victory over the Housto...

DECEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bengals' rub routes free up Drew Sample for open TD in the flat Cincinnati Bengals' rub routes free up tight end Drew Sample for open TD in the flat.

DECEMBER 27, 2020 • NFL.COM

Three catches in losing effort Sample had three catches for 21 yards on four targets in Sunday's loss to the Cowboys.

Impact Sample's activity has picked up the last four weeks, as he's had four or more targets each of those games, but that hasn't translated into that much production. He still doesn't have a touchdown this season, and his highest yardage total in a game has been 52 yards.

DECEMBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated role in loss Sample secured all seven targets for 49 yards in the Bengals' 19-7 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.

Impact Sample surprisingly tied Tee Higgins for the team lead in targets while setting the pace in receptions, with slot receiver Tyler Boyd's first-half ejection likely playing a pivotal part in the tight end's elevated role. Sample has had numerous solid efforts during his second season, but Sunday's catch tally tied a career high, while his target total checked in as his second highest of the season. His production is likely to continue fluctuating week to week, but he could enjoy relatively robust volume again in a favorable Week 14 matchup against the Cowboys, especially considering current Bengals quarterbacks Brandon Allen (chest) and Ryan Finley have run conservative attacks thus far in place of Joe Burrow (IR, knee).

DECEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Giving away free Samples Sample caught four passes for 40 yards on five targets, but also coughed up a critical fumble in Sunday's loss to the Giants.

Impact The fumble came in the fourth quarter deep in Bengals territory and ultimately led to the Giants' final field goal, one that would provide their margin of victory in the 19-17 game. The target and catch volume were Sample's highest since Week 7 however, and suggest he'll remain a bigger option in the passing game with Brandon Allen under center instead of Joe Burrow (knee).

DECEMBER 1, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Logan Ryan forces, recovers a Drew Sample fumble | Giants vs. Bengals Highlights New York Giants safety Logan Ryan forces and recovers fumble with heads up tackle.

NOVEMBER 29, 2020 • GIANTS.COM

Another small Sample Sample had two catches for 29 yards on four targets in Sunday's loss to the Football Team.

Impact Sample remains without an NFL touchdown through the first 19 games of his career. He didn't add much in the blocking aspect of the game either - he was the lowest rated offensive regular using Pro Football Focus's ratings, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

NOVEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Joe Burrow's sideline strike to Sample is placed perfectly Cincinnati Bengals rookie quarterback Joe Burrow's sideline strike to Bengals tight end Drew Sample is placed perfectly

NOVEMBER 22, 2020 • NFL.COM

Minimal activity Sample had just one catch on two targets for nine yards in Sunday's loss to the Steelers.

Impact That's two consecutive games where Sample has been nearly invisible on offense, despite playing 57 snaps. Sample has yet to score this season, and outside of two games against Cleveland, he has had eight catches in the remaining seven Bengals games this year.

NOVEMBER 17, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Plays nearly every snap Sample had five catches for 52 yards on six targets in Sunday's loss to the Browns, playing 73 offensive snaps, good for a 97 percent snap share.

Impact Sample is getting a good workload with C.J. Uzomah (Achilles) done for the year, but he hasn't yet scored this season despite eight red-zone targets, including three inside the 10 yard-line. Sample's not going to be a top-five tight end any time soon, but he's pretty close to breaking his season projection only halfway through the campaign.

OCTOBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

First catchless game of 2020 Sample didn't catch his lone target in Sunday's 31-27 loss to the Colts.

Impact Sample has largely underwhelmed since C.J. Uzomah (Achilles) was ruled out for the season, as he's posted a 6-70-0 line while getting targeted just nine times over the last four games. He's getting plenty of playing time, recording at least a 75 percent snap share in each contest. The 2019 second-round pick's not dependable in redraft fantasy leagues, but he'll be a valuable DFS option if he happens to fall into the end zone.

OCTOBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Only two targets Sample caught both of his targets Sunday against the Ravens, netting 22 yards.

Impact The Bengals next face the Colts, who allowed 10 targets and five catches to Austin Hooper in Week 5, so Sample might have a bigger role in Week 6.

OCTOBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Very active day Sample had three catches for 47 yards on five targets in the Bengals' win over Jacksonville on Sunday. He was also the targeted receiver on Joe Burrow's lone interception, a play i...

Impact Sample was on the field for 64 offensive plays (85 percent), more than any of the other Bengals running backs, wide receivers or fellow tight end Cethan Carter. Despite the end zone miscue, he's becoming more than just a blocking or check-down tight end for Burrow.

OCTOBER 5, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Beleaguered Jaguars dealing with more injuries on defense

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a three-game losing streak and one of the worst defenses in franchise history

OCTOBER 5, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS