Drew Sample Bio
Drew Sample (born April 16, 1996) is an American professional football tight end and fullback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 260 pounds, he plays a physical, blocker-first role within the Bengals offense. He played college football for the Washington Huskies and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft. Throughout his career with the Bengals, Sample has excelled as a blocker and has contributed heavily as both a blocking tight end and fullback.
Early Life and Background
Drew Sample was born on April 16, 1996, in Bellevue, Washington, United States. He grew up in the Seattle metropolitan area and attended Newport High School in Bellevue, where he played football and developed into a promising tight end prospect. His time at Newport helped establish the foundation for his future move into college football.
Coming out of high school, Sample drew recruiting attention for his combination of size and athleticism, which made him a natural fit for a tight end role. He committed to the University of Washington, joining a Huskies program with a strong tradition of producing NFL-caliber tight ends. His upbringing in the Pacific Northwest kept him close to home and allowed him to grow within a familiar football culture.
At Newport, Sample refined the blocking and receiving skills that would later define his professional profile. His physical development during those years gave him the frame and strength to handle the rigors of college-level competition, setting the stage for his next step in Seattle.
Path to American Football
Sample enrolled at the University of Washington and joined the Huskies football program, where he spent four seasons developing as a tight end. Over the course of his college career, he caught 46 passes for 487 yards and five touchdowns. His role with the Huskies emphasized both pass-catching and in-line blocking, preparing him for the dual responsibilities required of NFL tight ends.
As a senior, Sample caught 25 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns, a strong finish that earned him honorable mention on the All-Pac-12 Conference team. His production and consistency over his final college season positioned him as a legitimate NFL draft prospect entering the 2019 cycle.
Following the conclusion of his college career, Sample declared for the 2019 NFL draft. His combination of size, blocking ability, and reliable hands drew attention from teams in need of a traditional in-line tight end. The Cincinnati Bengals ultimately selected him in the second round with the 52nd overall pick, launching his professional career.
Drew Sample Career
Early Career (2019)
Sample was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round with the 52nd overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. He started his rookie season as the third tight end on the depth chart, behind C. J. Uzomah and Tyler Eifert, which limited his early opportunities. He made his first career catch in Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers, a small but meaningful milestone in his transition to the NFL.
His rookie year was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on December 7, 2019, with an ankle injury. Sample finished the season with five catches for 30 yards through nine games and two starts. Despite the limited production, his blocking contributions and work in the run game gave the Bengals a glimpse of the role he would eventually fill.
Cincinnati Bengals Breakthrough (2020-2021)
Sample received significantly more playing time in 2020 after C. J. Uzomah suffered a season-ending injury. He played in all 16 games and started 13 of them, becoming a regular fixture in the Bengals offense. He finished the year with 40 catches for 349 yards and a touchdown, which came in Week 17 against the Houston Texans.
In the 2021 season, Sample appeared in all 17 games, starting in eight of them, and finished the regular season with 11 receptions for 81 yards. During the Bengals’ playoff run en route to Super Bowl LVI, he recorded one catch for four yards in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Sample primarily contributed to the Bengals as a blocking specialist throughout that postseason stretch.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2022-Present)
Sample started the first two games of the 2022 season, where he was once again heavily used as a blocker in the Bengals offense. In Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, however, Sample suffered a season-ending knee injury and was placed on injured reserve on October 3, 2022. The injury cut short what had been another steady year of physical, scheme-specific contributions.
On April 14, 2023, Sample re-signed with the Bengals on a one-year contract. He was named the second tight end on the depth chart behind Irv Smith Jr., but saw starting time after Smith injured his hamstring in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens. Sample caught two touchdown passes in 2023, one in Week 9 against the Buffalo Bills, and the other in Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, his first touchdowns in three years. He finished the season with 163 yards and 22 receptions.
On March 11, 2024, Sample signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract extension with the Bengals through the 2026 season, securing his long-term role in Cincinnati.
Driving Style and Strengths
Sample’s game is built around physicality, in-line blocking, and reliability as a run-game contributor. He excels at sealing defensive ends, handling edge duties in the run game, and delivering accurate assignments in the screen game. His value is reflected in advanced metrics, including a Pro Football Focus grade that ranked him as the eighth-best blocking tight end in the league during the 2023 NFL season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Sample’s most notable career milestone came during the 2021 postseason, when he helped the Bengals reach Super Bowl LVI as a starting tight end and key blocker. His first NFL touchdowns in three years, both scored in 2023 against the Bills and Steelers, marked his return to the stat sheet as a pass catcher. The 2024 contract extension further cemented his standing as a long-term foundational piece of the Bengals offense.
Drew Sample Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Drew Sample has built his reputation primarily as a blocker and reliable team contributor rather than a headline receiver. His most significant team success came during the 2021 playoff run, which ended with an appearance in Super Bowl LVI. His individual milestones include his first career touchdown in 2020 and a pair of touchdown catches during the 2023 regular season.
Cincinnati Bengals Highlights
With the Cincinnati Bengals, Sample has developed into a trusted blocker and rotational starter. His first career touchdown came in Week 17 of the 2020 season against the Houston Texans, and his most recent scores came in 2023 against the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers. He has also contributed to deep postseason runs, including the 2021 AFC Championship win over the Kansas City Chiefs that sent Cincinnati to the Super Bowl.
Drew Sample Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Drew Sample’s family background is limited beyond his upbringing in Bellevue, Washington. He attended Newport High School in Bellevue, where his football career began to take shape.
Personal Life
Details about Drew Sample’s personal life, including marital status, are not widely confirmed in public sources. He has continued to make his home in the Cincinnati area during his NFL career with the Bengals.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Drew Sample remains a key part of the Cincinnati Bengals offense under his contract extension that runs through 2026. His role as a blocking tight end and situational fullback continues to anchor the team’s run game, while his experience provides stability alongside younger pass-catching options. The Bengals are expected to lean on his physicality in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Sample’s 2023 Pro Football Focus grade as the eighth-best blocking tight end in the league highlighted the value he brings in protection and at the point of attack. That consistency gives Cincinnati confidence in his ability to contribute at a high level despite the physical demands of his position. His leadership in the tight end room also adds an intangible layer to the Bengals’ offensive infrastructure.
With the Bengals aiming to remain a contender in the AFC, Sample’s presence on the depth chart offers continuity in both the run and pass game. His performance in 2025 will be measured less by raw statistics and more by his effectiveness as a blocker and his durability through a full 17-game slate. A healthy and productive season would further solidify his standing as one of the more reliable blocking tight ends in the league.