Don’t forget about Asante Samuel Jr. in 2021 NFL Draft CB class

What is his 2021 NFL Draft outlook?

One of the biggest questions surrounding Samuel is his size and if he would be more suitable playing in the nickel. While I think this is certainly a possibility, I don’t see much reason why he can’t try it on the perimeter first. A lot of this will depend on the team he gets drafted to but the potential to be a contributing starter at the minimum is there, with some nice potential to continue to grow as a premier corner on the boundary. Samuel’s best projection likely is at nickel, but with the value behind outside corners it makes the most sense to see what he has there first.

Samuel has the athleticism and ball skills to be highly effective while also being stout versus the run for the most part. He will need to continue to develop in coverage, as he can lose his receiver in man coverage working through breaks, but the potential is there for sure. From a speed perspective Samuel is effective and shows great closing speed and reactive quickness to be impactful. He shows enough mirroring skills and footwork to be effective in press, as long as he can learn how to implement some hand use working off the line of scrimmage.

Joe Marino of The Draft Network gives his take on the prospect:

"“Where Samuel Jr. has room to grow is in his zone coverage reps and ball skills. He played mostly man coverage in college and he isn’t nearly as comfortable in zone reps. From a ball skills perspective, he isn’t consistent finding the ball in the air and getting his head around, creating issues when challenged with his back to the line of scrimmage. Samuel Jr. has the potential to start at the next level for a defense that plays a lot of man coverage and is willing to move him around to maximize his strengths.”"

Samuel is currently projected to be a day two pick, and even in a deep cornerback class could find his way into the early round two conversation. Teams like Jaguars, Jets, Eagles, Cowboys, and Cardinals are all potential landing spots for Samuel in the second round.