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, December 6, 11:09 AM

Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson has established himself as a fantasy-relevant option heading into Week 14 against the Arizona Cardinals. Parkinson has emerged as the Rams' top tight end with Tyler Higbee (ankle) on injured reserve, catching 14 of 16 targets for 123 yards and three touchdowns over his last four games. During that four-week window, he ranks as the overall TE6 in half-PPR leagues. Parkinson should continue to find success this week against the Cardinals, who have allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to oppsoing tight ends in 2025. Perhaps the biggest indication that Parkinson faces minimal competition atop the depth chart is that rookie Terrance Ferguson, who had made some big plays when Higbee was healthy, has just three targets and zero catches over the last three weeks. Parkinson has played well enough that Matthew Stafford trusts throwing him the ball, which is enough to preserve his fantasy relevance for another week. He ranks as the overall TE23 in RotoBaller's Week 14 fantasy rankings, but he clearly has top-10 upside. Managers should feel comfortable starting him in leagues with at least 10 teams, especially with bye weeks and injuries limiting the pool of viable streamers at the tight end position.