Carolina Panthers: 3 Clemson stars taken in 2021 mock draft sim
By Dean Jones
player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. CB. FLORIDA STATE. ASANTESAMUEL JR.. 68. 87
Carolina Panthers Draft: Asante Samuel Jr. (CB) – Florida State (No. 68)
The apple does not fall far from the tree with Asante Samuel Jr. The talented cornerback excels in man coverage just like his father, who was a four-time Pro Bowler, two-time Super Bowl winner, and was selected first-team All-Pro on one occasion.
This will put additional pressure on Samuel Jr.’s shoulders to follow in his footsteps. But the Florida State standout has all the makings of a shutdown corner at the next level.
Teams were incredibly reluctant to throw in his direction in 2019. Samuel Jr. was put on an island against the opposition’s best receiving threat consistently last season. And this is a challenge that was the making of the player.
He appears mentally strong and is incredibly fluid in his movement down the field. Samuel Jr. might only be listed as 5-foot-10, but the prospect plays like a taller man thanks to a fine leap when contesting receptions.
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Locating the ball is an area of Samuel Jr.’s game that will need some work. And his physicality on and off the line of scrimmage is another potential red flag for a team that wants some instant production from the player.
The Carolina Panthers might need to take a cornerback early in the 2021 NFL Draft if things don’t pan out with free-agent Eli Apple. And Samuel Jr. represents good value in the third-round based on his film so far.