Cincinnati Bengals TE depth chart ahead of 2022 NFL Draft

TE2: Drew Sample

The Bengals spent a second-round pick on Washington’s Drew Sample in the 2019 NFL Draft and he’s been a big disappointment. He had just five catches for 30 yards in his nine games as a rookie, which had fans wondering what to expect from the Washington product moving forward.

Year two was kinder to Sample. He had the opportunity to do more after C.J. Uzomah was injured and missed all but two games. Sample finished his sophomore season with 40 catches for 349 yards and a touchdown through 16 starts.

This past season, Sample was a popular pick to “breakout” for the Bengals and after that 349-yard campaign the season prior, it made sense. He failed to do so, however, finishing his third year in the pros with just 11 catches for 81 yards.

To make matters worse, Sample had a few frustrating plays last year that made this pick look even worse. One that comes to mind is when Sample caught the ball, moved a few steps, and then fell down short of the first-down marker without even being pushed to the ground.

If the Bengals draft a rookie in the early rounds, that player will likely take Sample’s spot on the depth chart.