South Carolina wide receiver Deebo Samuel would bring a familiar play style back to the Giants

The New York Giants have questions all over their roster. Most of the attention gets paid to the defense and offensive line, but they also have a number of questions regarding their receiving corps. The most pressing of those questions is how they replace the production, and impact, of Odell Beckham Jr. this year and going forward. There are also questions about the future of the unit, with Sterling Shepard in the last year of his contract and the newly signed Golden Tate on the wrong side of 30.

This happens to be a deep and talented wide receiving class, with a number of players who can fill a wide variety of roles in a number of different schemes. The Giants seem to be building toward an offense that focuses on passes in the intermediate range and relying on yards after the catch to generate big plays. In that case, they could look to South Carolina’s Deebo Samuel, who is not only a tremendous route runner, but also a dangerous receiver with the ball in his hands.

Measurables

Pros

• Excellent route runner. Savvy and deceptive with precise breaks.
• Good hands and ball skills.
• Very good after the catch.
• Impressive short area quickness.
• Good vision and contact balance.
• Stout frame helps him power through arm tackles.
• Enough speed to threaten big plays.
• Played from a variety of alignments.

Cons

• Needs to be more consistent as a blocker.
• Not a true burner in the open field.
• Average at best catch radius.

Prospect Video

What They’re Saying

Samuel has been victimized by poor quarterback play at South Carolina but still showcased an exciting skill set. An outstanding route runner to all levels of the field, Samuel is a fit for any scheme with the upside to play outside and from the slot. His blend of ball skills and post-catch ability make him an intriguing weapon. By year three, Samuel has the upside be a prolific top-3 option for a productive NFL passing offense that makes plays in a a variety of ways.

- Joe Marino (The Draft Network - Scouting Report)

Does He Fit The Giants?

Samuel is a weapon all over the field, able to line up from out wide, in the slot, or act as a psuedo-running back on sweeps, and he is able to threaten the short and intermediate area of the field as well as deep. All of that together is a receiver who should appeal to Pat Shurmur and the Giants.

There is relatively few nits to pick in Samuel’s game. And while he isn’t the most explosive athlete or the biggest receiver on the field, he is a lot of fun to watch. His tape can be maddening thanks to shoddy quarterback play, but concentrating on Samuel reveals a polished receiver and a dangerous offensive weapon. He is one of the very best route runners in this class, combine sharp breaks at the top of his routes with a savvy manipulation of timing and tempo to set defenders up and create separation with his route running. And at 6-foot, 215 pounds, Samuel is built like a running back, which is exactly what he becomes with the ball in his hands. While he won’t run away from many defensive backs, his powerful lower body lets him hit his top speed quickly and hold off would-be tacklers for a while.

Watching Samuel tugs at a Giants fan’s heartstrings and reminds of Victor Cruz, who excelled using many of the same traits.

This is a crowded receiver class, but Samuel could be a great value anywhere on the second day of the draft.