Curtis Samuel

Curtis Samuel

27-Year-Old Wide ReceiverWR
Buffalo Bills
2023 Fantasy Outlook
After his first year in Washington was essentially wiped out by groin and hamstring injuries, Samuel rebounded strong in 2022 to play all 17 games and put up 843 total yards (187) and five touchdowns. The downside, at least in fantasy terms, is that his workload shifted from the air and more toward the ground as the season went along, in part due to rookie WR Jahan Dotson's emergence as a legitimate second weapon across from Terry McLaurin. While he's a good No. 3 receiver in real-life terms, Samuel probably isn't going to be prioritized in an offense with Dotson and McLaurin, nor are the Commanders likely to put up enough points to support three fantasy-start-worthy WRs. They're counting on either 2022 fifth-round pick Sam Howell or 30-year-old Jacoby Brissett at quarterback, hoping new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy can pull things together after he helped the Chiefs win a pair of Super Bowls in recent years. Read Past Outlooks
$Signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Bills in March of 2024.
Inks three-year deal with Buffalo
WRBuffalo Bills
March 14, 2024
The Bills and Samuel agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Over the last two seasons in Washington, Samuel combined for 126 catches (on 183 targets), 1,269 yards and eight touchdowns in 33 regular-season games. He also boasts an average of 5.9 yards on 121 carries across seven years as a pro. With Buffalo, Samuel will bring a versatile aspect to a passing game headlined by QB Josh Allen, WRs Stefon Diggs and Khalil Shakir and TE Dalton Kincaid.
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NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Curtis Samuel's 2023 advanced stats compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average. The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
  • Air Yards Per Game
    The number of air yards he is averaging per game. Air yards measure how far the ball was thrown downfield for both complete and incomplete passes. Air yards are recorded as a negative value when the pass is targeted behind the line of scrimmage. All air yards data is from Sports Info Solutions and does not include throwaways as targeted passes.
  • Air Yards Per Snap
    The number of air yards he is averaging per offensive snap.
  • % Team Air Yards
    The percentage of the team's total air yards he accounts for.
  • % Team Targets
    The percentage of the team's total targets he accounts for.
  • Avg Depth of Target
    Also known as aDOT, this stat measures the average distance down field he is being targeted at.
  • Catch Rate
    The number of catches made divided by the number of times he was targeted by the quarterback.
  • Drop Rate
    The number of passes he dropped divided by the number of times he was targeted by the quarterback.
  • Avg Yds After Catch
    The number of yards he gains after the catch on his receptions.
  • % Targeted On Route
    Targets divided by total routes run. Also known as TPRR.
  • Avg Yds Per Route Run
    Receiving yards divided by total routes run. Also known as YPRR.
Air Yards Per Game
38.5
 
Air Yards Per Snap
1.13
 
% Team Air Yards
14.2%
 
% Team Targets
15.1%
 
Avg Depth of Target
6.8 Yds
 
Catch Rate
68.1%
 
Drop Rate
3.3%
 
Avg Yds After Catch
4.2
 
% Targeted On Route
20.7%
 
Avg Yds Per Route Run
1.40
 
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2023 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Buffalo BillsBills 2023 WR Snap Distribution See more data like this | See last season's snap counts
#% of Team Snaps

103282%
92473%
68254%
48438%
16813%
91%
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Curtis Samuel lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
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2023 Curtis Samuel Split Stats
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Measurables Review View College Player Page
How do Curtis Samuel's measurables compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 11"
 
Weight
195 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.31 sec
 
Vertical Jump
37.0 in
 
Broad Jump
133 in
 
Hand Length
8.75 in
 
Arm Length
31.50 in
 
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Box Score Breakdown: Snaps, Routes, Air Yards & Personnel from Week 18
71 days ago
Incentives and milestones had a big impact on Week 18 fantasy scoring and helped drive a throwback week for some of the league's older running backs.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
The first season of Samuel's three-year, $31.5 million contract couldn't have gone much worse, with a lingering groin injury and then a hamstring injury limiting him to five games and 84 snaps. The good news is that he'll be only 26 this season — plenty young to rebound — and is only two years removed from his career-best campaign with the Panthers. There is the not-so-small matter of poor QB play, which also was an issue in Carolina, plus Samuel's upside could take a sizable hit if he's only the No. 3 receiver behind lead dog Terry McLaurin and first-round pick Jahan Dotson. Then again, Samuel's breakout year came as the No. 3 in Carolina, and his ability to contribute on the ground (76 career carries for 489 yards and five TDs, 6.4 YPC) creates a path to fantasy viability even if Commanders OC Scott Turner keeps his receiving volume around a handful of targets per week. Samuel avoided surgery in the offseason, and the Commanders hope his 4.31 speed will be back on display in the near future.
Despite playing with a below average QB and sharing targets with two quality receivers, Samuel had a breakout of sorts last year, setting career highs in catches, yards and yards per target. He also ran for 200 yards and two touchdowns. As a result, the Football Team signed him to a three-year, $34.5 million contract, making him the complement to rising star Terry McLaurin. At 5-11, 195, Samuel has average size, but like McLaurin, he can fly - 4.31 40, and his athletic marks are similarly superlative - 37-inch vertical, 133-inch broad jump. For 2021, the Team will feature two of the more explosive outside threats in the league. Moreover, the Team signed aging gunslinger Ryan Fitzpatrick, who won't shy away from taking chances downfield, even at the risk of interceptions and sacks. McLaurin is still the No. 1 option, and tertiary targets Cam Sims and Logan Thomas will have roles, but Samuel should figure prominently in the offense once he returns from a stint in IR that will cause him to miss at least three weeks to start the coming season.
Samuel disappointed in Year 3, despite seeing 105 targets. Part of that was due to Cam Newton being out most of the season and Kyle Allen not being an adequate replacement, but D.J. Moore's efficiency wasn't similarly affected. All told, Samuel managed 11.6 YPC and a meager 6.0 YPT, last among the league's 30 100-target receivers. As a result, the Panthers signed deep threat Robby Anderson to a twoyear deal, likely pushing Samuel to the No. 3 option, and that's not counting tailback Christian McCaffrey and his 142 targets. While newly signed Teddy Bridgewater should be an upgrade from Allen, it's hard to see him generating enough offense for four productive pass catchers. That said, Samuel could see more short, quick throws from the slot, and the offense under new coach Matt Rhule and offensive coordinator Joe Brady might be more innovative than last year's.
Injured for much of his rookie season, Samuel made strides in Year 2, though he missed the first three games of 2018 after having surgery to address an irregular heartbeat. In only 13 games, Samuel had seven TDs (five receiving, two rushing) and 578 scrimmage yards on 65 targets and eight carries. At 5-11, 195, he has average size but blazing speed (4.31 40) and top-notch athleticism - 37-inch vertical, 133-inch broad jump, i.e., he's a dangerous person with the ball in his hands. The problem for Samuel is the Panthers have two other versatile playmakers in Christian McCaffrey and last year's first-round pick D.J. Moore, a bigger, not-quite-as-fast WR who can also carry the ball. Assuming Cam Newton is healthy again after shoulder surgery, the entire Panthers passing game should be better, and the departure of Devin Funchess opens up 79 more targets. The Panthers signed Chris Hogan this offseason to be their bigger-bodied receiver, but it's a small, one-year deal, and there's no guarantee Hogan has a significant share of the offense. Bottom line, Samuel should have more opportunities Year 3, in what should be an improved passing attack. Don't forget to add some rushing stats to his totals.
Samuel was drafted in the second round last year as a utility player capable of adding devastating speed to the Panthers offense. However, injuries largely derailed his rookie campaign, leaving him in need of proving himself again this time around. With increased competition at wide receiver, Samuel may be restricted to certain packages that highlight his ability in space.
The Panthers' second round pick, Samuel finds himself in an interesting spot. While the team isn't deep at WR -- No. 1 option Kelvin Benjamin showed up to offseason activities in sub-optimal condition, and ostensible No. 2 Devin Funchess has been inconsistent -- it also drafted RB Christian McCaffrey in the first round, and the two have somewhat overlapping skill sets. At 5-11, 197, Samuel, is blazingly fast -- 4.31 40 -- and athletic -- 37-inch vertical and 133-inch broad jump. As such, he's dangerous with the ball in his hands, and a threat as a ballcarrier or receiver. Of course, much of that description could apply to McCaffery, so Samuel figures to be used mostly as a slot receiver. Don't expect much red-zone work, either -- tight end Greg Olsen and the 6-5 Benjamin are likely to dominate the targets down there.
More Fantasy News
Scores five TDs in contract season
WRWashington Commanders
January 9, 2024
Samuel finished 2023 with 62 catches for 613 yards and four touchdowns on 91 targets and seven carries for 39 yards and a touchdown.
ANALYSIS
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Cleared to play Week 18
WRWashington Commanders
January 5, 2024
Samuel (hamstring) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Dallas, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Sitting out Thursday's practice
WRWashington Commanders
Hamstring
January 4, 2024
Samuel isn't participating in Thursday's practice due to a hamstring injury, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Modest production in Week 17
WRWashington Commanders
January 3, 2024
Samuel secured three of four targets for 33 yards in Sunday's 27-10 loss to the 49ers.
ANALYSIS
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One catch in loss
WRWashington Commanders
December 27, 2023
Samuel caught one of six targets for 16 yards and handled two carries for four yards in Sunday's 30-28 loss to the Jets.
ANALYSIS
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