Who Should I Start? Ross Dwelley or Drew Sample

Saturday, January 6, 12:24 PM

San Francisco 49ers tight end Ross Dwelley (ankle) did not practice all week and has been ruled out for the Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. Dwelley has not seen the field since Week 13 and will be held out of the regular season finale with the Niners having already locked up the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC and a first-round bye for the playoffs. The 28-year-old has just one reception all year for 12 yards on two targets. San Fran is going to rest a lot of players in this meaningless game, so fantasy managers should stay away from tight end George Kittle. Charlie Woerner and Brayden Willis should see most of the action at the position for the 49ers against LA, but neither of them will be recommended DFS dart throws.

Monday, March 11, 4:49 PM

The Cincinnati Bengals re-signed tight end Drew Sample to a three-year, $10.5 million contract extension on Monday, according to a source. Sample will receive $3.5 million in 2024. In his fifth year with the Bengals in 2023, Sample had 22 catches on 27 targets for 163 yards and a career-high two touchdowns in 17 games (10 starts). Tanner Hudson, Mitchell Wilcox and Irv Smith Jr. are all free agents, but one or more of them could be retained or the Bengals could add competition at the position through the NFL draft. The 27-year-old Sample has accumulated just 80 receptions (103 targets) for 621 yards and three touchdowns in his five years in the NFL with Cincy, so it would be unrealistic to expect the Bengals to utilize him as their unquestioned No. 1 pass-catching TE in 2024.