Drew Sample is the Cincinnati Bengals' blocking tight end out of Washington, valued for his old-school in-line work.
Sample has spent his entire NFL career with the Bengals since they drafted him in the second round in 2019. He handles the traditional duties of the position, blocking in the run game while Cincinnati's pass-catching tight ends operate elsewhere. He played all 17 games again in 2025.
Path to the league
Sample played college football at Washington, where he established himself as a strong blocker and dependable target. The Bengals selected him in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, a pick that drew some surprise at the time given his blocking-first profile.
Career highlights
Sample has carved out a steady role as Cincinnati's true in-line tight end. While Mike Gesicki functions more as a big slot receiver, Sample handles the old-school duties and is often on the field for the first play of the game, according to A to Z Sports. He signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract in the 2024 offseason.
2025 season
Sample caught 15 of 20 targets for 106 yards and one touchdown and added a three-yard run during the 2025 regular season, per reporting from A to Z Sports. He played in all 17 regular-season games for a third straight year. His role as the starting in-line tight end remained secure heading into 2026.
Sources
- A to Z Sports: Bengals 2025 Roster Breakdown: Drew Sample remains Cincinnati's true starting tight end
- ESPN: Drew Sample player page
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Receiving
17 games played▶Receiving · career
| Year | Team | GP | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | bengals | 17 | 15 | 106 | 7.1 | 1 | 27 |
| 2024 | bengals | 17 | 20 | 109 | 5.4 | 1 | 12 |
| 2023 | bengals | 17 | 22 | 163 | 7.4 | 2 | 22 |
| 2022 | bengals | 2 | 2 | -2 | -1.0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2021 | bengals | 17 | 11 | 81 | 7.4 | 0 | 19 |
| 2020 | bengals | 16 | 40 | 349 | 8.7 | 1 | 23 |
| 2019 | bengals | 9 | 5 | 30 | 6.0 | 0 | 21 |
▶Rushing · career
| Year | Team | GP | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | bengals | 17 | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2024 | bengals | 17 | 1 | -4 | -4.0 | 0 | -4 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Tight End
- Group
- offense
- College
- Washington
- Hometown
- Bellevue, WA, USA
- Age
- 30
- Status
- active
