PackPros: Jaylen Samuels 2020 Outlook

Former NC State Swiss Army Knife Jaylen Samuels is entering his 3rd year in the NFL, after the Steelers drafted him in the 5th round in 2018. Currently, JaySam sits 4th on the Depth Chart for Pittsburgh, behind James Conner, Benny Snell and rookie Anthony McFarland Jr.

While seeing an increase playing time in 2019, picking up 135 more snaps (363 total), it was a year of regression in the running department. As a rookie, Samuels averaged 4.6 yards per carry, and saw that number drop to 2.7 last year.

Receiving is what Jaylen Samuels was known best for in Raleigh, holding the school record for receptions in a career. In his 2nd year in the NFL, he did see his role in the passing game increase significantly. His targets (29/57) and receptions (26/47) nearly doubled from the year before, finishing last year with 305 receiving yards.

To sum up Jaylen’s 2019 performance, according to ProFootballFocus, he graded out 55th out of 58 running backs, with a grade of 54.4. The only area where he improved was in the pass blocking department, but saw a significant decrease in his grades for overall offense, rushing and receiving.

2018: Overall (68.8)/Receiving (73)/Rushing (64.5)

2019: Overall (54.4)/Receiving (55.5)/Rushing (56.1)

With Samuels sliding back on the depth chart, it will be interesting to see if the Steelers try to use him more specifically in the passing game. Even though his targets and receptions were up in 2019, the amount of snaps he played in the slot or out wide decreased by 6% from his rookie season.

With the Steelers drafting McFarland in this years draft, there was some speculation on whether there would be room for Samuels on the 53-man roster, but Head Coach Mike Tomlin still thinks he has a role to play.

“He is continuing to be impressive with his versatility,” head coach Mike Tomlin said on Thursday. “I think that is the thing that has always kind of distinguished him in a competitive setting among his peers. His ability to do a variety of things at a relatively high level particularly in the passing game and outside the backfield with his hands and route running. It is above the line from a running back perspective for sure.” (SI)

Samuels is entering the 3rd year of his 4-year rookie contract ($2.7 million), and will have a base salary of $750,000 this year.

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