Jaylen Samuels

Jaylen Samuels

28-Year-Old Running BackRB
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Jaylen Samuels in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Released by the Cardinals in May of 2022.
Let go by Cardinals
RBFree Agent
May 31, 2022
Samuels was released by Arizona on Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
This move comes immediately after the Cardinals officially announced the signing of running back Darrel Williams. Samuels signed a reserve/future contract with Arizona in January after playing just 16 offensive snaps over three games with the Texans in 2021. His five carries for nine rushing yards last season were also both career lows for the fifth-year running back.
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2021
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2020 NFL Game Log
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2019 NFL Game Log
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2018 NFL Game Log
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Jaylen Samuels lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
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2024 Jaylen Samuels Split Stats
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Measurables Review View College Player Page
How do Jaylen Samuels' measurables compare to other running backs?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 0"
 
Weight
225 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.54 sec
 
Shuttle Time
4.28 sec
 
Cone Drill
6.93 sec
 
Vertical Jump
34.5 in
 
Broad Jump
121 in
 
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Jaylen Samuels See More
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233 days ago
Oregon WR Troy Franklin can't be happy about falling to Day 3, but things could still work out for him in Denver, where he'll catch passes from college teammate Bo Nix.
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January 5, 2023
Kenneth Walker should lead the charge for Seattle against a Rams defense that's struggled to stop the run with DT Aaron Donald sidelined the past month.
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March 25, 2022
The Chiefs are restocking after the Tyreek Hill trade, but there are still new challenges ahead for Patrick Mahomes.
Backfield Breakdown: Week 17 Recap & Week 18 Sleepers
January 3, 2022
Boston Scott was a home run in Week 17, but he and Jordan Howard have since tested positive for COVID-19, potentially leaving rookie Kenneth Gainwell atop the Philadelphia backfield for Week 18.
Backfield Breakdown: Week 16 Recap & Week 17 Sleepers
December 27, 2021
Boston Scott may be back atop the depth chart after the latest round of injuries in the Philadelphia backfield.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2021
2020
2019
2018
Samuels eclipsed 450 yards from scrimmage in each of his first two seasons with the Steelers, but he had a minimal role in 2020, as he registered just 18 touches for 74 yards. Although James Conner signed with the Cardinals during the offseason, Najee Harris was brought in by Pittsburgh with the 24th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and should serve as the lead back this year. Samuels will have to compete with the likes of Benny Snell and Kalen Ballage for complementary touches in 2021.
James Conner's injury woes opened the door for Samuels to establish himself as a big part of the future of the Pittsburgh offense, but instead he may have ensured his stint in black and gold is a short one. There was certainly plenty of turmoil around him, but there's simply no excusing a 2.7 YPC, and Samuels made little impact as a receiver either despite a healthy 57 targets. The NC State product's versatility remains his strongest asset, as Samuels can be used as a running back, wildcat quarterback, or get split out as a receiver, but his lack of experience as a runner shows in his poor vision and inability to find the yards his blocking creates for him. Benny Snell's adequate showing as a rookie, and the addition of speedster Anthony McFarland in the 2020 draft, potentially leave Samuels without a defined role in the Steelers' backfield behind Conner, but his receiving skills also give him upside if he can establish some chemistry with a healthy Ben Roethlisberger.
Le'Veon Bell's protracted exit from Pittsburgh put James Conner in the lead role for most of last year, but Samuels also got his chances to shine. The rookie didn't see an offensive snap until Week 5 and didn't see double-digit snaps until Week 10, but after Conner went down late in the season Samuels exploded for 142 rushing yards in a win over the Patriots. The NC State product checks in at 6-0, 225, and while he doesn't run with as much power as his frame would suggest, he has good speed and receiving skills and can line up in the backfield, in the slot or out wide. He also showed surprising vision and patience last season despite his limited experience as a ballcarrier, after playing a mixture of running back, H-back and tight end in college. Conner returns as the No. 1 and the Steelers added Benny Snell in the fourth round of the draft, but Samuels is positioned once again to be the team's top backup, as well as a versatile option in situations when the team's pass-happy offense wants to keep the opposition guessing.
Calling Samuels a running back likely misstates his role in the NFL, as he may not do a whole lot of rushing. At 5-11, 225, the NC State product put up an eyebrow-raising 4.54 40 time at the Combine after spending the majority of his college career as an H-back. Taken by the Steelers in the fifth round, Samuels could find himself lining up all over the field as a slot receiver, fullback, tight end or H-back. His skills as a receiver will make him a mismatch against most linebackers, and his ability to get some power behind his pads could also allow him to be an option on goal-line plunges in between his bubble screens and jet sweeps. New coordinator Randy Fichtner has been on the Pittsburgh staff since 2007 - Ben Roethlisberger's fourth season in the NFL - and his experience could prove invaluable as the offense tries to find a way to best utilize its new toy.
More Fantasy News
Joining Cardinals for 2022
RBArizona Cardinals
January 19, 2022
The Cardinals signed Samuels to a reserve/future contract Wednesday.
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On practice squad once again
RBFree Agent
January 3, 2022
Samuels reverted to the Texans' practice squad Monday.
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Gets six touches in loss
RBHouston Texans
January 3, 2022
Samuels had three carries for seven yards and caught all three of his targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 23-7 loss to the 49ers.
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Elevated for Week 17
RBHouston Texans
January 1, 2022
Samuels was elevated to the Texans' active roster from the practice squad Saturday for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston report.
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Reverts back to practice squad
RBFree Agent
December 28, 2021
Samuels reverted to the Texans' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction report.
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Works out in Green Bay
RBFree Agent
August 9, 2022
Samuels worked out with the Packers on Tuesday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Samuels appeared to have found a home for the 2022 season when he signed with Arizona in January. However, he was released four months later and has remained unsigned since. Regardless of where he lands, it's difficult to envision Samuels commanding many carries, as he managed only 14 rushing attempts between the 2020 and 2021 seasons combined.
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