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NFL Draft: Grading the Carolina Panthers Selection of Curtis Samuel

By Brandon Croce

Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Curtis Samuel goes through pass catching workout drills during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Curtis Samuel goes through pass catching workout drills during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 19, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) runs against Northern Illinois Huskies cornerback Shawun Lurry (19) at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) runs against Northern Illinois Huskies cornerback Shawun Lurry (19) at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /

Player

Grade: 22 out of 25

There is no question that Curtis Samuel has incredible physical attributes and had a strong junior year last year. He finished last year with 771 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns and nearly eight yards a carry (7.9). He also added 865 receiving yards and seven more receiving touchdowns.

Samuel followed that up with an excellent performance at the Scouting Combine and showed off his speed with the second fastest 40-yard dash of 4.43 seconds. He finished only behind John Ross, who set the record for the event at the Combine.

Samuel is a player who doesn’t have great size at only 5’11 and 196 pounds. However, he should be able to use his quickness to get separation and be a playmaker in the Panthers offense.

Dane Brugler of CBS Sports wrote about Samuel in his scouting report:

"A natural ball-handler, Samuel is a balanced athlete with the explosive traits and natural acceleration to produce chunk plays in various roles. Similar in many ways to Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey, Samuel is ideally suited for a hybrid offensive position that highlights his instinctive run qualities as an inside rusher, but also his strong hands and route-running as a slot receiver."

*Stats courtesy of Sports-Reference

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