Sample seemed to profile as a blocking tight end entering the NFL. In his first three years at Washington, he totaled only 21 receptions, 235 yards, and two touchdowns. He never played more than eight games in any of those seasons, and he wasn’t a relevant prospect. However, Sample slightly improved in 2018 in his senior season. He caught 25 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns. While his performance wasn’t anything special, the Bengals saw enough to pick him in the second round. The Bengals drafted Sample in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft with the 52nd overall pick. At the time, I had never even heard of Sample. I couldn’t believe the Bengals passed on receiving tight end weapons like Jace Sternberger, Josh Oliver, Kahale Warring, and Dawson Knox to select Sample.