Report: Colts Have Met Virtually with FSU CB Asante Samuel Jr. Ahead of the NFL Draft

According to The Draft Network’s Justin Melo, the Indianapolis Colts are among the NFL teams that have met virtually with Florida State cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. ahead of the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft:

The 5’10”, 180 pound junior cornerback recorded 30 tackles (22 solo), a tackle for loss, 3 interceptions, 6 passes defensed, a forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries in 8 starts this past season—earning First-Team All-ACC honors.

Samuel’s lack of ideal size and length could hurt his draft stock a bit, but he otherwise posted solid physical measurables at his recent Pro Day (including a 4.45 forty yard dash time):

Samuel obviously has great football bloodlines, as his father, Asante Samuel Sr., was an NFL All-Pro ballhawking cornerback for both the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles among his NFL stops—who frequently sparred with Colts’ great Peyton Manning.

While some think his lack of size may limit his son to a slot/nickel cornerback at the next level, Samuel Jr. should be able to play the outside—just like his dad at the pro ranks.

He’s fluid in coverage with some speed, smooth hips, change of direction ability, instincts, and ball skills—and isn’t afraid to attack the football downhill.

It’s just interesting because he doesn’t have the requisite length that the Colts typically covet in their cornerbacks (which say, Kenny Moore has to compensate for his lack of size).

Samuel Jr. is a physical, feisty, and willing run defender though which the Colts love at cornerback, and another ‘dawg’ to add to their ascending overall defense—even if he can get outmuscled at times regarding the point of attack.

Here’s what else they’re saying on the talented ‘chip off the old block’ top cornerback prospect:

Of course, the Colts have a long-term need at starting outside cornerback, as even though Xavier Rhodes was re-signed, he’s 30 years old, and it was only to a one-year deal.

Younger cornerbacks like Rock Ya-Sin and Marvell Tell are firmly in the mix at starting cornerback, but Ya-Sin was up and down last season—while Tell sat out the year because of COVID-19 concerns. Second-year corner Isaiah Rodgers is another name to watch.

Meanwhile, productive free agent veteran cornerback T.J. Carrie remains unsigned.

Samuel lacks the ideal size and length, but he was incredibly productive, has a great football pedigree, and would be a natural fit in the Colts’ heavy zone scheme otherwise—with his scrappiness, ball skills, high football I.Q., and ability to cover in space.

Samuel has been projected by some as a late ‘Day 1’ or early ‘Day 2’ draft pick, so he might be a cornerback prospect to watch in a potential trade down scenario for the Colts—if he doesn’t slide to the team’s second round pick.