For the third straight Friday of the draft the Bengals went looking for a productive potential starter when they traded down in the second round and picked up a two-way tight end in Washington's Drew Sample.
The Bengals went from Nos. 42 to 52 and picked up a fourth-round pick and sixth-round pick from Denver, giving them two fourth-rounders and six sixth-rounders on Saturday. They got those and the 6-4, 255-pound Sample, all-conference the last two years and academic all-conference the last three. Another "1' character guy in the wake of first-round pick Jonah Williams, Sample runs a 4.7-second 40-yard and has "sneaky speed and quickness," according to Ourlads Scouting Services.
"Reliable pass catcher and a good enough blocker to be considered an every down player," says Ourlads. "Good run after catch ability. Can take a hit and keep on ticking … Productive in what he is asked to do."
That gives new head coach Zac Taylor's offense even more versatility with Sample joining Tyler Eifert and C.J. Uzomah in the tight end corps. They hope the trade is as bountiful as the last two. Last year they slid eight picks, from 46 to 54, to get safety Jessie Bates III and in 2017 they went from 41 to 48 to get running back Joe Mixon. Mixon led the AFC in rushing last season, when Bates played every game and was second on the team with three interceptions.
View the best photos of Drew Sample, the Bengals second round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Washington's Drew Sample runs after catching the ball against North Dakota in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Washington tight end Drew Sample runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Drew Sample, TE | Round 2
Washington tight end Drew Sample, second from right, is greeted by teammates after he caught a pass for a touchdown against Utah during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington tight end Drew Sample (88) in the first half during the Cactus Bowl NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State, Friday, Jan. 2, 2015, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Washington tight end Drew Sample (88) catches a pass for a touchdown against Utah State as Washington's Lavon Coleman (22) looks on in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, in Seattle. Washington beat Utah State 31-17. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington tight end Drew Sample (88) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Washington tight end Drew Sample runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
North tight end Drew Sample of Washington (88) catches a pass as South safety Jaquan Johnson of Miami (4) defends during the first half of the Senior Bowl college football game, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
