With the NFL draft fast approaching, it’s clear NC State football’s representation in the pros is about to skyrocket. The latest projections have eight former Wolfpackers being drafted by NFL teams.
Perhaps the most intriguing of these NC State prospects is “tight end” Jaylen Samuels. Though NFL.com lists him as a tight end, Samuels was listed as an all-purpose back in college, and that is far more indicative of his abilities.
Samuels was the Pack’s most versatile weapon throughout his career, capable of producing in both the running and passing game. Samuels finished first on the team with 76 catches in 2017-18, third in receiving yards with 597 and third in rushing yards with 404. He is NC State’s all-time reception leader with 201 for his career.
So, how will all of that translate to the NFL? Despite his production as a receiver and being listed as a tight end, both Samuels and the NFL teams he’s talked to see him as a contributor in the run game.
“I met with a lot of teams at the Senior Bowl, at the combine,” Samuels said at NC State’s pro day. “Every team is telling me running back. Being able to split out on third downs and catch the ball, because I have great catching skills. Being able to show my catching ability as well. They see me as a running back.”
NFL experts are also trying to piece together how Samuels will fit in the NFL. NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein projects Samuels as a fourth-round pick in the upcoming draft.
According to Zierlein, some of Samuels’ strengths are his versatility as an all-purpose player, his ability to run in a variety of schemes, his size on the goal line and his ability to make defenders miss and create separation.
Conversely, his weaknesses are his lack of speed (though he did run a 4.54 40-yard dash at the combine), too many drops in the receiving game and inability to run routes. Ironically, his versatility could also hurt him, as NFL teams may be worried if he can excel at one position, and is possibly a jack of all trades, but master of none.
“Here is the problem I’m having in writing my report,” an NFC scout told NFL.com “Does he have any special talent or is he just a player who is used in a variety of roles? Is he really, really good at any of his roles or just versatile? That can be the difference between going in the third round or the fifth round.”
Samuels would benefit from playing for a crafty coach capable of using his versatility to its full effect, such as Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots or Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs. If Samuels is being viewed as a running back, teams with a need in that area include the Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles.
While Samuels will have his work cut out for him, showing that the same versatile skill set that helped him make a name for himself in college can do the same in the NFL, if he can find the right fit with the right team and coach, he could be one of the most unique contributors pro football has seen.
