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Pack in the Pros

PackPros: Jaylen Samuels 2020 Outlook

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4 years ago

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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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Matthew is Publisher and Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He is also the Lead Pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

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Pack in the Pros

Mike Tomlin’s Thoughts on the Steelers Drafting NC State’s Payton Wilson

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6 days ago

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April 29, 2024

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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin was ecstatic that NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson was available for Pittsburgh to pick up with the 98th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

“We had to get comfortable with his medical and we brought him in on a pre draft visit. We allowed our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort. And so from that perspective, man, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

“Man, we’re really excited about Peyton. When we turn his tape on, we see him making all the type of plays you need linebackers to make. He’s a volume tackle player. He makes plays in the passing game from a coverage perspective via interception and pass breakup. He gets after the quarterback in the blitz game. He’s got a very well-rounded skillset. He’s a fluid mover. He can run. Had an opportunity to lay some real up close eyes on him down there in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, we’re thankful we had an opportunity to get him. He’s got all the hardware that comes with some of those things that I described being a Butkus Award winner and so forth. We had to get comfortable with his medical and we brought him in on a pre draft visit. We allowed Our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort. And so from that perspective, man, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

“I think you could characterize it as surprised. I mean, he is an award-winning linebacker, Butkus Award winner. Had an opportunity to get really familiar with him down in Mobile as well. But the linebackers themselves weren’t coming off the board at that juncture. So sometimes they make runs on positions at different times and it hadn’t been a lot of linebackers to that point. I think what he was number five or so.” (Link)

“We’re really excited about Payton. When we turn his tape on, we see him making all the types of plays you need linebackers to make. He’s a volume tackle player. He makes plays in the passing game from a coverage perspective via interception and pass breakup. He gets after the quarterback in the blitz game. He’s got a very well-rounded skill set. He’s a fluid mover. We had to get comfortable with his medical, and we were. We brought him in on a pre-draft visit to allow our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort, and so from that perspective, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

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Pack in the Pros

Payton Wilson will Wear #41 for the Pittsburgh Steelers

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6 days ago

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April 28, 2024

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Former NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson, who was drafted by Pittsburgh in 3rd round on Friday night, will wear the #41 for the Steelers.

Wilson spent his entire collegiate career at NC State wearing the #11. He wore the #11 at Orange High School.

It will take some getting used to recognize him in the #41 jersey. Currently, Steelers Wide Receiver Van Jefferson is wearing the #11.

Here’s a look at other Pittsburgh players who have worn the #41.

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NC State Football

NC State CB Shyheim Battle Receives Invitation to Jets Rookie Mini Camp

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1 week ago

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April 28, 2024

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NC State Cornerback Shyheim Battle has received an invitation from the New York Jets to participate in their Rookie Mini Camp.

Battle had 1 year of eligibility remaining, but declared for the NFL Draft on January 3rd.

He finished this past year as the most experienced player on the Wolfpack’s defense, starting in 41 of the 51 games he has played in dating back to 2019. In a rarity in this day-and-age, Battle was a 4-year starter at the Cornerback position for NC State. He graduated with a degree in Communications.

In his final season in Red and White, Battle had 46 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups and 1 fumble recovery. His PFF Grade of 70.6 was the 7th best on the Wolfpack defense.

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NC State Football

NC State PK Brayden Narveson Signs Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Titans

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1 week ago

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April 27, 2024

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NC State Place Kicker Brayden Narveson has signed an Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Tennessee Titans.

In his one season in Raleigh, Narveson made 18 of his 23 Field Goal attempts for the Wolfpack, and made all 38 Extra Point attempts. Narveson made some history in his one season at NC State, kicking a 57-yard Field Goal against Duke, breaking the school record for the longest Field Goal.

Narveson ranked 4th in the ACC in Field Goals attempted (23), and 5th in Field Goals made (18) this season. He ranked 9th in conference in scoring (7.1 points per game).

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