Deebo Samuel looks like a potential first round pick.
Tyshun Samuel, better known as Deebo Samuel, is an electric athlete. He features elite speed and acceleration. The trait translates into him being an excellent YAC receiver. He also is electric on kick returns. He has taken kickoffs back to the end zone in back-to-back games. That trait also translates into him being a great open field runner on jet sweeps. Samuel is also a deep threat with his speed and can add a great catch radius. He is versatile as well with the ability to line up on the outside and the inside. He also puts in good effort as a blocker even if he is not great at squaring himself up on tacklers. The last strength I would add is that he has excellent potential as a route runner. He may not have been asked to run a comprehensive route tree as South Carolina, but he will be able to cut well in the NFL.
The biggest downside to drafting Samuel is his durability. He has been injured a lot of his career at South Carolina. He has had a nagging hamstring injury which caused him to miss solid lengths of time twice and he broke his ankle. The only other concern I have is that he might need to be more sure-handed in the NFL. I have seen him drop the ball, but I don’t think it was a big issue at South Carolina.
I see Samuel being a high first-round pick in the 2019 draft if he can stay healthy. The problem is that he is a senior and won’t have another chance to redeem himself if he gets injured this year. Samuel has outstanding potential but hasn’t been healthy enough to come out for the draft.
