Drew Sample 2026 fantasy outlook and rest-of-season projection
- Age
- 30
- Height / weight
- 6'5", 260 lb
- Experience
- 8th season
- Drafted
- 2019 R2, #52
2026 Season
- PPR PPG
- 2.0
- Pos rank
- TE54
- Rostered
- —
Week 4 vs. Jaguars, Sun Oct 4, 1:00 PM ET 27th vs. TEs, tough
Drew Sample Rest-of-Season Outlook
depth TE for deep leagues only
Preseason Projection vs. Reality
He finished TE64 last season at 1.9 points per game.
Our Take After Week 4
Through 3 games he's TE54 at 2.0 PPR points per game, against 1.9 over 17 games last season (TE64). The role is producing the same fantasy output two years running.
Last season he ranked 36th of 81 in route participation (42.5%), 63rd of 82 in target share (3.3%) and 76th of 82 in efficiency (0.37 yards per route run). Efficiency is the soft spot. Joe Burrow is his quarterback.
The main risk is the job itself. He's the listed starter with Mike Gesicki next on the depth chart, and a benching or an injury would take his value to zero overnight.
The next favorable matchup is the Dolphins in Week 5 (9th against TEs).
Read our preseason outlook (June 2026)
Published June 16, 2026. Kept for reference; the take above replaces it.
Our numbers paint Sample as exactly what he is: a complementary piece whose receiving usage barely registers. He ran 286 routes across 12 games in 2025 yet drew only 20 targets, a 3.3% share that translated to 0.37 yards per route run and a 68th-ranked finish at the position. Fifteen grabs, 106 yards and a single score netted just 16.9 fantasy points. The efficiency markers stay quietly respectable, a 0.133 EPA per play and 40% success rate with zero drops, but volume this thin caps any standalone value.
The trend isn't encouraging either. His 2024 line carried sharper marks, 0.217 EPA and a 59.1% success rate, and his 28.3-point 2023 still towers over recent output. With Cincinnati's targets funneling elsewhere, Sample profiles as a blocking-first tight end and deep-bench afterthought, draftable only if injuries hand him a genuine route-tree role.
What Drives His Outlook
His 2025 rank among the 81 tight ends who played at least six games. Each bar is one tight end, best on the left; his is highlighted.
Route participation
Target share
Efficiency
- Average depth of target
- -0.3
- Drop rate
- 0.0%
- Red-zone targets
- 1
- Route participation
- 42.5%
- YAC per reception
- 7.3
What Could Change His Value
Upside
- A soft spotThe Dolphins in Week 5 is a top-10 matchup for TEs.Wk 4 JAX, 27thWk 5 MIA, 9thWk 7 BAL, 20thWk 8 TEN, 30th
Risk
- Job securityMike Gesicki is next on the depth chart; a benching or injury hands him the job.
- Low target share3.3% target share, 63rd of 82 TEs in 2025.
- Tough matchupsThe Jaguars in Week 4 (27th) and the Titans in Week 8 (30th) are among the stingiest defenses against TEs.
All Drew Sample stats & analysis
TEs like Drew Sample
Drew Sample Fantasy Outlook FAQ
What is Drew Sample's fantasy outlook for the rest of the 2026 season?
Drew Sample projects as a depth TE for deep leagues only for the rest of the 2026 season: a bench stash in TE-premium leagues and waiver-wire material in 12-team and 10-team leagues. His efficiency (0.37 yards per route run, 76th of 82 TEs in 2025) holds him back. See his live rank in Redraft Command.
What is Drew Sample's rest-of-season fantasy ranking?
Drew Sample is the TE54 in PPR points per game through Week 4. That puts him in depth TE territory, waiver-wire material in 12-team leagues.
What is Drew Sample's projected role going forward?
Drew Sample is the listed starting TE, with Mike Gesicki next on the depth chart. Nothing on the chart threatens the job, so the role is his to lose on performance.
Will Drew Sample get more targets?
Drew Sample's targets are holding steady: 1.0 a game over his last two games against 1.7 for the season. His share of the offense is what his fantasy value rides on.
What is Drew Sample's fantasy football upside?
Drew Sample's upside: his ceiling this season is 4.9 PPR points (Week 1, TE29) and the Dolphins in Week 5 is a top-10 matchup for TEs.
What could hurt Drew Sample's fantasy value?
Drew Sample's risks: Mike Gesicki is next on the depth chart if he is benched or hurt, his efficiency (0.37 yards per route run, 76th of 82 TEs in 2025) limits his scoring and the Jaguars in Week 4 and the Titans in Week 8 are tough matchups. See his injury status and history.
How difficult is Drew Sample's remaining fantasy schedule?
Difficult: of his next seven games, 2 come against a top-10 matchup for TEs and 3 against one of the stingiest defenses, by PPR points allowed to the position.