Who Should I Start? Drew Sample or Colby Parkinson

Saturday, September 27, 2:08 PM

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Drew Sample has only three catches this season, with one resulting in a trip to the end zone. The 29-year-old has logged more snaps than Mike Gesicki and Noah Fant (foot) through the first three weeks of the 2025 campaign. However, both have received more attention from quarterbacks Joe Burrow (toe) and Jake Browning. The Bengals offense is a mess, which has been a surprise to most. As a result, it's hard to trust anyone on that side of the ball. Granted, Sample should continue to lead the position in snaps, especially with his abilities as a blocker. Still, while he will likely add a few more scores to his resume before the end of the season, he's not consistent enough to be considered a starting fantasy option in any format in Week 4 versus the Broncos.

Saturday, January 24, 3:32 PM

Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson has seen the team's third-highest target share through two playoff games, trailing only All-Pro receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. His 90 receiving yards through those two contests also rank third, but with rookie Terrance Ferguson returning for the Rams' Divisional Round victory over the Bears, and Los Angeles regularly employing two or even three tight end sets, Parkinson's fantasy ceiling is capped and largely touchdown-dependent. Given his season-long usage in the red zone, he still profiles as the safest option in a crowded tight end room, and with few elite options remaining in the playoffs, he is RotoBaller's TE2 in fantasy playoff leagues. That said, he should not be relied on for a week-winning performance against a stingy Seattle defense.