The Steelers drafted Jaylen Samuels in the 5th round, their second of two fifiths, adding the North Carolina running back and adding to the versatility of their backfield.
- North Carolina used Jaylen Samuels as a H-Back, where he primarily caught passes out of the backfield.
Steelers 5th round pick Jaylen Samuels at North Carolina. Photo via JackJaguars – WordPress.com
Several draft reports, including NFL.com, had Jaylen Samuels listed as a tight end, but In Pittsburgh, the Steelers plan to use him exclusively as a running back. However, Steelers running backs coach James Saxon assured that “He’s done a lot of different jobs. He’ll get an opportunity once he gets here to do a lot of different jobs.”
Jaylen Samuels video highlight reel backs up Saxon’s assessment:
As a senior, Samuels caught 76 balls for 597 yards and scored four touchdowns through the air. Jaylen Samuels added 12 rushing touchdowns backed 407 yards rushing. What role will Saxon play in Pittsburgh? As Saxon envisions it:
He will be able to play on third down, catch ball and create matchup problems for linebackers. In this game today, on third downs lot of teams are using a sixth DB to come in the box and cover an athlete, and that’s what he is.
Draft analysts speculated that the Steelers would seek Le’Veon Bell’s replacement in the 2018 NFL Draft. Jaylen Samuels as a fifth round pick, would not figure to be that man. He joins James Conners behind Le’Veon Bell, and will have to win a spot in training came against veterans Fitzgerald Toussiant and Stevan Ridley.
Welcome to Steelers Nation Jaylen Samuels.
