When Brandon Staley selected Asante Samuel Jr. out of Florida State in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft, he revealed what type of identity the Los Angeles Chargers secondary would emulate.
The Chargers opted for Samuel, who stands at 5’10” and weighs 180 pounds, with the No. 47 overall pick when there were taller, lengthier, and better-built players still on the board. They saw Samuel’s effortless ability to execute bail coverage, press, and zone techniques and glide with his assignment. Although many draft experts projected him to eventually transition his talents over to the slot, the undersized Samuel played the outside cornerback role at a high level for the Seminoles. He was reactive, ball-hungry, and always found the action for playmaking opportunities.
The Chargers were sold.
