Jaylen Samuels is a backup running back for the Steelers behind James Conner. He was a 5th round pick drafted 165th overall, just last year. So it may seem odd that I am clamoring for this man to get the ball more, however Samuels is not your typical RB. During his 4 year stay at NC State he was 3 year starter and contributor even as a freshman. The reason is fairly clear; Samuels was simply too versatile, and too talented to keep off the field. He changed positions several times to find a consistent role on the field. From RB, to FB, to TE, and WR, shoot he even returned 12 kicks. Samuels played every offensive skill position even lining up as a qb in the wildcat offense. So he is used to being a team first player, filling whatever role asked of him. Which is why the fact that he has just 7 touches for 37 yards through three games isn't a bigger story line. He simply goes about his business. But are the Steelers wasting his talent??
The first and main reason I don't understand his lack of touches is injuries. This guy as stated before has played FB, TE, RB, WR, as well as a lack of depth at qb. Currently Xavier Grimble, Vance McDonald, Roosevelt Nix, and Big Ben are all hurt and will miss week 4. Big Ben and Grimble actually landed on IR. Meaning they will miss at least 8 games. So with all that being said why wasn't Samuels being used as a tight end after McDonald's injury? Let alone after Grimble landed on IR? He is easily more athletic than Grimble or McDonald, and isn't being utilized as a runner so why not use him as a receiver? Or a blocker at fullback now that Nix is hurt? Luckily for Samuels I believe with Connor being banged up and ineffective as of late he will be in line to get significant touches going forward but I expect Benny Snell to also vulture carries out of the backfield.
The lack of opportunities or a clear cut role on the team I believe is an indication of Randy Fitchner's lack of innovation. If Samuels had produced 4.6 yards per carry and 7.7 yards per reception in a limited role last season and showed up big in games against Oakland when he had 18 touches for 92 yards, followed by 21 touches for 172 yards against New England, and finally 15 touches for 64 yards and 1 td in his three starts, I would be making a role for him. Especially considering his position versatility. His skill set should have led to whole formation groups with both he and Connor in the backfield at once. Both guys are bigger backs with Conner standing 6'1 233 and Samuels at 6'0 225 lbs, they aren't afraid to block, are capable receivers and runners. Its really the perfect way to keep a defense off guard. Rather than a true fullback who isn't the threat that Samuels is in the run or pass game, or a tight end that doesn't offer the upside as a runner being used here, that a defense can key off of why not utilize Samuels' versatility to open up the field more?
If Samuels is lacking as a runner and the team truly likes Snell more then there is a case to be made that the former college tight end should be used more as a receiver, in fact a rather large case being that he graduated college having caught 201 passes for 1,851 yards and 19 tds, while rushing the ball 182 times for 1,107 yards and 28 tds. He is actually a more experienced receiver than he is a runner. Which is why it baffles me that Samuels was completely ignored in that role despite two injuries at his college position. Honestly this is a case of NFL teams putting way too much stock into body type. Samuels isn't the stereotypical tight end, guys who normally stand 6'3+ 230+ but he is a polished receiver, and a solid blocker. Instead the team went out and traded for Nick Vannett, a former third round pick that never developed into the player Seattle had hoped. A guy whose career high came last year with 29 receptions for 269 yards and 3 tds which is remarkably similar to the 26 receptions for 199 yards and 3 tds Samuels contributed as a rookie RB that caught most of his passes out of the backfield and not as an inline tight end that doesn't have to cover 3 yards before crossing the line of scrimmage.
In week 4 Fitchner finally opened up the playbook and took a few cues from Samuels' college days. He introduced the wildcat offense to his playcalling. Due in part to this role Samuels had a break out game. He had 21 total touches. 10 carries for 26 yards and 1 td, 8 receptions for 57 yards, went 3 of 3 passing for 31 yards. 21 touches for 114 yards is pretty good for a "backup" "RB". Judging by the success that Fitchner had with the Wildcat and packages that involve Samuels and Conner in general I would expect to see more of a role develop for Samuels who could realistically develop into a force in an offense that uses all of his unique talents.
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