Jaylen Samuels
23-Year-Old
2018 Rush/Rec Stats
ATT
56
YDS
256
TD
0
YDS
199
TD
3
2019 Rush/Rec Projections
2019 Fantasy Outlook
Le'Veon Bell's protracted exit from Pittsburgh put James Conner in the lead role for most of last year, but Samuels also got his chances to shine. The rookie didn't see an offensive snap until Week 5 and didn't see double-digit snaps until Week 10, but after Conner went down late in the season Samuels exploded for 142 rushing yards in a win over the Patriots. The NC State product checks in at 6-0, 225, and while he doesn't run with as much power as his frame would suggest, he has good speed and receiving skills and can line up in the backfield, in the slot or out wide. He also showed surprising vision and patience last season despite his limited experience as a ballcarrier, after playing a mixture of running back, H-back and tight end in college. Conner returns as the No. 1 and the Steelers added Benny Snell in the fourth round of the draft, but Samuels is positioned once again to be the team's top backup, as well as a versatile option in situations when the team's pass-happy offense wants to keep the opposition guessing. Read Past Outlooks
Eyeing role in two-back formations
Samuels expects the Steelers to use formations that put him and James Conner on the field at the same time, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The double-halfback formation is a common offseason storyline, but one that rarely comes to fruition as anything more than an occasional trick setup during the regular season. Usage of the two halfbacks would make more sense for the Steelers than most teams given the involvement of Samuels, who often lined up as an H-back or tight end at North Carolina State. There's also the matter of Pittsburgh losing Antonio Brown and Jesse James, leaving the team with shaky depth at wide receiver and tight end. Samuels is far more likely to find his fantasy value from passing downs or a Conner injury, but the potential for two-RB sets at least will be worth monitoring come August and September. Conner already said he expects both Samuels and rookie fourth-round pick Benny Snell to get touches this upcoming season.
The double-halfback formation is a common offseason storyline, but one that rarely comes to fruition as anything more than an occasional trick setup during the regular season. Usage of the two halfbacks would make more sense for the Steelers than most teams given the involvement of Samuels, who often lined up as an H-back or tight end at North Carolina State. There's also the matter of Pittsburgh losing Antonio Brown and Jesse James, leaving the team with shaky depth at wide receiver and tight end. Samuels is far more likely to find his fantasy value from passing downs or a Conner injury, but the potential for two-RB sets at least will be worth monitoring come August and September. Conner already said he expects both Samuels and rookie fourth-round pick Benny Snell to get touches this upcoming season.
NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Jaylen Samuels' 2018 advanced stats compare to other running backs?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
Broken Tackle %
5.4%Positive Run %
85.7%% Yds After Contact
49.2%Avg Yds After Contact
2.3Rushing TD %
0.0%Touches Per Game
5.9% Snaps w/Touch
36.3%Air Yards Per Game
-0.7Air Yards Per Snap
-0.04% Team Air Yards
-0.2%% Team Targets
4.3%Avg Depth of Target
-0.3 YdsCatch Rate
89.7%Drop Rate
0.0%Avg Yds After Catch
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NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Jaylen Samuels lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
Detailed
Grouped
Side
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2018 Jaylen Samuels Split Stats
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Measurables Review
View College Player Page
How do Jaylen Samuels' measurables compare to other running backs?
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
6' 0"Weight
225 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.54 secShuttle Time
4.28 secCone Drill
6.93 secVertical Jump
34.5 inBroad Jump
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2018 Fantasy Outlook
Calling Samuels a running back likely misstates his role in the NFL, as he may not do a whole lot of rushing. At 5-11, 225, the NC State product put up an eyebrow-raising 4.54 40 time at the Combine after spending the majority of his college career as an H-back. Taken by the Steelers in the fifth round, Samuels could find himself lining up all over the field as a slot receiver, fullback, tight end or H-back. His skills as a receiver will make him a mismatch against most linebackers, and his ability to get some power behind his pads could also allow him to be an option on goal-line plunges in between his bubble screens and jet sweeps. New coordinator Randy Fichtner has been on the Pittsburgh staff since 2007 - Ben Roethlisberger's fourth season in the NFL - and his experience could prove invaluable as the offense tries to find a way to best utilize its new toy.
More Fantasy News
Ready for more snaps
Backfield mate James Conner expects Samuels to "make a lot of plays" this season, Jonathan Bombulie of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.
ANALYSIS
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Locked into Bell-free backfield
Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert mentioned Samuels as a factor in why the team is comfortable letting Le'Veon Bell leave in free agency this offseason, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
ANALYSIS
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Cedes carries to returning teammate
Samuels ran twice for two yards and caught seven of eight targets for 40 yards during Sunday's 16-13 win over Cincinnati.
ANALYSIS
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Delivering in fantasy playoffs
Samuels ran for 53 yards on 12 attempts, adding three receptions for 11 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 31-28 loss to New Orleans.
ANALYSIS
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Filling in for Conner again
Samuels is slated to head the Pittsburgh backfield Sunday against the Saints with James Conner (ankle) sidelined for a third straight game, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
ANALYSIS
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