2017 NFL Draft: 10 Most underrated prospects heading into offseason
By Tyler Brooke
The phrase “offensive weapon” used to sound like a gimmick. However, with the emergence of playmakers like Ty Montgomery, Tavon Austin and Tyreek Hill, scouts may want to start thinking about physical tools more than specialized positions.
Ohio State utilized Curtis Samuel as both a running back and wide receiver this season, and he succeeded at both positions. He finished with 771 yards and eight touchdowns with 7.9 yards per carry on the ground while catching 74 passes for another 865 yards and seven TDs.
Samuel is still a little undersized, but he looks like he could grow into his 5-foot-11 frame, and that seems likely considering he’s only 20 years old. He’s an explosive athlete who is elusive in open space, making him a tough assignment for any defender. Despite playing multiple positions, Samuel still has as good of hands as most of the receivers in this class.
A smart offensive coaching staff won’t try to limit Samuel to just one position in the NFL. He’s someone with great instincts and a nose for the end zone. Given his skill set and potential as a playmaker, Samuel could make a strong argument as a Day 2 player in this year’s NFL draft.