Cameron

Sample

Sample began his career with the Bengals, spending the last five years in Cincinnati. He initially signed with the 49ers this offseason, then went to the Falcons after the 49ers waived him. Serving as a preseason rotational defensive lineman, the Falcons decide to part ways with Sample heading into final cuts.

The details of Sample’s one-year deal have not been announced yet. The 26-year-old pass rusher has notched two sacks in each of his last three seasons. He did not play in 2024. He generated 12 quarterback pressures last year and will compete for a backup role in San Francisco.

Sample returns to the Bengals after missing the 2024 season with a torn Achilles. Initially drafted by the Bengals in the fourth round of the 2021 draft, Sample has tallied five sacks over three seasons as a rotational defensive lineman. He will again be a part of the rotation as he comes back from the torn Achilles for 2025.

Sample (6'3/272) has been a member of the defensive line rotation since joining Cincinnati in 2021 and finished the 2024 season with 1.5 sacks and 29 tackles. The 24-year-old defender will now rehabilitate with a chance to play a similar role for the Bengals in 2025; assuming he stays in the organization.

Sample measured in at 6-foot-3 and 267-pounds for his pro day. He then ripped off a 4.79 40-yard dash and a stellar 37-inch vertical jump. While the rest of his numbers were just solid, those two figures illustrate how explosive can be moving forward. Sample will need to work on adding some flexibility and creativity to his game, but he has the explosiveness to be a threat at the next level. Look out for Sample early on Day 3.

Sample (6'3/280) has been one of the best defensive ends in the American Athletic Conference this season, as he has tallied 48 total tackles (6.5 for loss), 4.0 sacks, one forced fumble and three quarterback hurries in ten games. The senior defensive end started all 13 games for the Green Wave in 2019, but wasn’t as impactful as he has been this season. Sample is expected to have to go the UDFA route in order to earn an NFL roster spot, but a strong showing in Mobile could get on the radar late on Day 3 of this spring’s draft.