NY Jets: 5 tight ends to target at the trade deadline

4. NY Jets trade target: Drew Sample, Cincinnati Bengals

Another recent Day 2 pick who potentially finds himself on the trade block is former Cincinnati Bengals second-round pick, Drew Sample.

Sample saw his most playing time in 2020 where he served as the team's starting tight end for most of the season. The former Washington standout hauled in 40 catches for 349 yards and a touchdown in 16 games and 13 starts.

But Sample was always miscast as a TE1 in Cincinnati. While he's not completely incompetent as a receiver, the strength of Sample's game has always been his blocking.

Sample served as a reliable safety net for the Bengals in 2020 while doubling as one of the most effective blocking tight ends in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus.

But with C.J. Uzomah returning from injury in 2021, Sample has seen his playing time diminish. He still has a role in Cincinnati's offense, but it's nowhere close to the role he had last year.

At just 25-years-old, Sample offers the upside and skill set that the Jets are looking for. Think of him as a younger and better version of Tyler Kroft.

His blocking skills would prove useful in both the running game and in pass protection while his surehandedness would be valuable for rookie QB Zach Wilson who is lacking a reliable, sure-handed tight end.

A Day 3 pick might be enough to get a deal done, and that's good value for a move that will help the Jets both in 2021 and beyond.