Asante Samuel Sr. was one of the greatest route-jumping cornerbacks that the NFL has ever seen, recording 51 interceptions in an 11-year career spent with the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons.
15 years after the elder Samuel led the sport with 10 interceptions and 24 pass deflections, his son - Asante Samuel Jr. - has been drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers with the 15th pick in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, 47th overall.
Samuel Jr. is nearly identical in size to his father - who was a four-time Pro Bowler - but probably isn't the type of player that will win you a game or two every year with a pick-six. That said, there were some who felt that his father wasn't always especially interested in tackling, and you don't get that sense watching Samuel Jr.
Measurables: 5'10"/184
School: Florida State
2020 stats: 8 games, 30 tackles (22 solo), 1 tackle for loss, 3 interceptions, 6 passes defensed, 2 fumbles recovered, 1 forced fumble
Accolades: 2020 First-Team All-ACC; 2019 Third-Team All-ACC
Strengths: This is someone who plays with a chip on their shoulder and wants to be great...Even if he isn't huge, he plays in a manner that suggests he won't back down from a wide receiver or tight end that's much bigger than him...He's not just going through the motions on special teams, he plays with ferocity in that aspect of the game as well
Weaknesses: Joe Marino of The Draft Network noted this and we agree: there are plays where it seems like Samuel either should have picked the ball off or should have gotten closer to picking the ball off and didn't...As much as you love the fight that he plays with, his size could present limitations that you wouldn't have with Patrick Surtain II, Caleb Farley or Jaycee Horn
Expert scout analysis: "Samuel possesses the athleticism, speed, and ball skills for the next level and comes with great bloodlines. He’s a terrific cornerback with height limitations that I expect will pigeonhole him to nickel packages on Sundays," said Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network.
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