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NFL Draft: Curtis Samuel Will Be Draft Day Surprise?

By Charlie Lockhart

Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) celebrates after scoring the winning touchdown in the second overtime against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 30-27 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) celebrates after scoring the winning touchdown in the second overtime against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 30-27 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /
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How high will Curtis Samuel be chosen in the NFL draft?

Ohio State’s Curtis Samuel is projected to be chosen in the late second round or early third in the NFL draft by many “draft experts”. I think there is a good chance he could be chosen early in the second round, or may even be a late first round pick becoming a draft day surprise.

I just can’t believe that Samuel’s 4.31 in the 40 at the Combine didn’t make more of an impression on NFL general managers. Usually when a player tears up the Combine like Samuel did, the only way he drops to the third round is if one of these situations apply.

The player went to a small college, his college production didn’t match the athleticism he displayed at the Combine, or because of character or size issues. Take a look and you will see that none of these situations apply to Samuel.

Of course the size of the school is not an issue and character shouldn’t be. After three seasons of playing for the Buckeyes, I haven’t heard a bad word said about Samuel. And Urban Meyer raves about him as well.

As far as his production, it was pretty good wasn’t it. Check out his stats according to Sports Reference.com:

                        Rush Attempts  Yards  Avg  TD  Rec  Yards   Avg  TD  

  • 2014                 58              383   6.6    6     11       95     8.6     0
  • 2015                 17              132   7.8    1     22      289   13.1    2
  • 2016                 97              771   7.9    8     74      865   11.7    7

Samuel performed well as a true freshman backing up running back Ezekiel Elliott. His sophomore season was solid even though he was playing out of position as a wideout. When he was moved to the H-back as a junior, he had one of the finest seasons a multi-purpose back has ever had.

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As far as Samuel’s size, if he were to be used as a running back at least part-time, his size is comparable to at least one Hall of Famer. Tony Dorsett was 5-11, 192 pounds, and he carried the load for the Dallas Cowboys in an era when NFL teams loaded the box often to stop the run. Samuel is 5-11, 196 pounds, and won’t be expected to run the ball 20 times a game, and he will play against nickel defenses quite often.

A versatile running back is becoming an important cog in most NFL offenses in today’s game. Teams are attempting to spread the field rather than just ram the ball down the opposing defenses throat.

A playoff team drafting towards the end of the first round in this year’s NFL draft may think Samuel could be that one player on offense to put them over the top. Or the team with the last pick in the first round may want to pick up another RB/WR to add to the ones they have had so much success with over the years.

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And everyone knows Bill Belichick and Urban Meyer are very good friends. Don’t you think the two may have discussed Samuel when the Patriots coach made an appearance at the Ohio State Pro Day? In any event, I just can’t see a talented player like Samuel falling past the late first or early second round in this year’s NFL draft. I think he may be a draft day surprise.

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