Los Angeles Chargers’ Asante Samuel Jr. Rookie Profile

With the 47th pick in the NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers drafted cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. from Florida State. Samuel Jr. was named after his father, who was also a cornerback in the NFL. Samuel was a talented cornerback who enjoyed a long career with the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, and Atlanta Falcons. He won 2 Super Bowls with the Patriots and was a reliable cornerback for almost a decade.

Now, his son aims to expand on the Samuel legacy. A stud cornerback for the Seminoles, Samuel Jr. is expected to be a day one starter for the Chargers. Like his father, Samuel Jr. has a very physical and scrappy playstyle. But will he be able to adjust to the big, stronger and faster star receivers of the NFL? What are his strengths and weaknesses? This is the Asante Samuel Jr. rookie profile.

The Los Angeles Chargers draft Florisda State cornerack Asante Samuel Jr. in the second round, hoping to fill the spot left by Casy Hayward. (via Florida State Athletics)

Strengths

• Very physical on the line and in coverage. This is a double-edged sword, as it comes with its own set of issues. Samuel is talented at checking receivers on the line of scrimmage and overwhelming them in coverage. His swarming playstyle can not only disrupt receivers in making catches, but also wear them down faster.
• Strong center of balance. Having a strong center of balance allows for Samuel to be able to change direction fluidly and keep close distance to receivers. Helps in adjustments to quick routes and reacting to cuts in receivers’ routes.
• Good timing and reading of receiver’s routes. Samuel is good at using his football IQ to predict and time his pass breakups. Combined with his explosive speed from his core strength, this could allow him to rack up deflected passes.

Weaknesses

• Sometimes plays too physical. Like mentioned earlier, Samuel is a very physical player. While that is a strength when it comes to disrupting receivers, this could be an issue in its own right. Samuel risks becoming a penalty liability with this style of play.
• Has a somewhat small frame. At 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, Samuel is on the smaller side of NFL defensive backs. While he makes up for it by playing overly aggressive, this could prove to be a liability when it comes to defending against bigger receivers, such as AJ Brown on the Tennessee Titans or DK Metcalf on the Seattle Seahawks.
• Inconsistent footwork in tackling. Much of the power in tackling comes from a strong foundation in the legs. Samuel’s footwork in this category has some scouts worried about his ability to tackle at the next level. Samuel needs to improve on his positioning and foot placement in order to become a more stout tackler.

Asante Samuel Jr., after a great collegiate career, aims to live up to his father’s legacy as a mainstay NFL cornerback. (via Paul Sancya/AP Photo)

Summary

General Manager Tom Telesco addressed the Chargers’ biggest need at the offensive tackle position by picking Rashawn Slater in the first round. In the second round, he addressed the Chargers’ second biggest need: secondary. Samuel Jr. will fill the hole left by Casey Hayward’s departure in free agency. Samuel Jr. has some big shoes to fill thanks to his father’s respectable career. However, Samuel Jr. certainly has the tools to do so. As long as he manages to fix his penalty issues, he should be a mainstay in the Chargers defense for years to come.