I had been assuming this was my last rodeo with Samuels and that he'd go back to my bench next week. But after that performance (coupled with Boyd's potential injury), I'm starting to wonder. If Boyd does sit, I would probably slide Pettis into his spot and then decide between Samuels and Josh Reynolds at flex. Between those two, Samuels might be the safer option. Will be curious to see how much we learn before Sunday about expected usage between him and Conner.
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Jaylen Samuels - Steelers RB/TE Hybrid - Dynasty (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Gianluca
- Start date
Hankmoody
Footballguy
The most important part of that play was that he dropped down in-bounds, keeping the clock running rather than plowing into the defender and getting driven out of bounds. Very few rookies make that play and a lot of veterans fail it too.
Steeler
Footballguy
Steelers4Life
Footballguy
Loved how he looked. I think he can be a nice compliment to Conner next year and the Steelers can likely focus their resources on the defense and keeping the offensive line strong.
chad in Indy
Footballguy
I think pass protection will play a big part moving forward. I only saw a limited part of the game, but I did see Samuels not account for a blitzing LB that came straight through
bryhamm
Footballguy
Agreed. But, I can also imagine scenarios where both are on the field at the same time, with Samuels being a more pass-catching option and Conner being the more running option.
chad in Indy
Footballguy
maybe, but Samuels is not Kamara, plus Switzer is a better pure pass-catcher/roue runner if they were gonna implement a strategy of 2 RB on the field.
Doesn't this get said about literally every single NFL team with two quality RBs? And how often does it actually happen?
It doesn’t happen. I like the talent of Samuels but Conner played well and has an iron clad grip on the job. Nothing short of Super Bowl James White of two years ago level play will give Samuels the lead role or even a 50/50 timeshare. Conner will be the lead back, Samuels will probably get 8-10 touches per game as a true change of pace back, package player and maybe 2 minute drill back. Conner’s only holes in his game appear to be streakiness, inability to put the team on his back when it is struggling, and fumbles. The first two come with the territory and aren’t something to hold against him. The fumbles he needs to correct but he is a very good runner and a very competent passing downs player. Samuels is a weapon for sure and will find work on his own and with Conner on the field but Conner has earned the job thus far.
Plus, nothing against Samuels but have you heard Conner’s story? I can’t wish the guy anything but success
Football Jones
Footballguy
What you’ve started to see with Samuels is the fullfillment of some of the headroom I’ve talked about in previous posts. Samuels’ usage at NC State suggested he’s got more upside than your typical college feature back.
Samuels is an easy eyeball evaluation as a good football player which is why I called him one of the steals of the draft after the Steelers nabbed him in the 5th. He already had day-2 talent coming out, IMO, & once he fully develops as a RB, I believe we’ll be looking at a genuine NFL feature back.
Samuels’ outstanding pass-catching ability (already one of the best receiving backs in the NFL) to go along with good running skills could very well make for not only an NFL feature back, but a FF stud.
It’s going to be interesting to see the competition with Conner once Samuels gets up to speed as a full-time RB.
Samuels is an easy eyeball evaluation as a good football player which is why I called him one of the steals of the draft after the Steelers nabbed him in the 5th. He already had day-2 talent coming out, IMO, & once he fully develops as a RB, I believe we’ll be looking at a genuine NFL feature back.
Samuels’ outstanding pass-catching ability (already one of the best receiving backs in the NFL) to go along with good running skills could very well make for not only an NFL feature back, but a FF stud.
It’s going to be interesting to see the competition with Conner once Samuels gets up to speed as a full-time RB.
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rafbennett
Footballguy
would it be crazy to start samuels at TE with conner back? PPR. I own both and do not have a TE
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sportsphysio
Footballguy
That’s the $1M dollar question this week for owners of both in Yahoo. My take...I’m not sure that Connor would be 100% on that ankle, if it was a HAS. I could see a split with the RB’s, and if it becomes a shootout, Samuels might get increased reps trying to play catch up with the passing game.
mnmplayer
Footballguy
Welp, had Gronk and Cook on my bench getting 3 points this week. They both outscored Samuels last week but its all about the floor baby. I must also mention that he outscored Kittle, Kelce and Ertz and every other TE for that matter. I'm sure I am not the only one that enjoyed this week for a variety of reasons. Cheat code delivered.
ETA: Honestly I consider this another floor type game from him. Imagine when the mutli TD games come. Conner should take another week off.
ETA: Honestly I consider this another floor type game from him. Imagine when the mutli TD games come. Conner should take another week off.
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I'm in the consolation round, so not spending too much time on the question (and also not playing the WW), but in a non-PPR league with a WR/TE flex, I will likely be deciding between Samuels and Reynolds at flex (alongside Tyreek, Pettis and Kittle, and assuming Boyd is out).
Obviously, we'll have to pay attention to reports coming out of Pittsburgh about Conner's health and expected usage, but I think we should assume that we won't know a ton more Sunday morning than we know right now.
I actually think a guy like Reynolds is a decent comp: Third/fourth receiving option in a good offense. Samuels obviously has a lower floor, since he could potentially not get used at all, but considering Reynolds floor is like 2/20, does it really make a ton of difference?
Based on what I know at this moment, I'm inclined to start him over Reynolds, particularly for the upside.
JoeSteeler
Footballguy
No, not 100%. Tomlin said yesterday that he will see how today's practice goes. His status is still very much up in the air.
The Frankman
Footballguy
ALL ABOARRRRRRRD! CHOO CHOO!!!!!
Cowboysfan8
Footballguy
Truebluey
Footballguy
Exact same situation for me. I have Kamara and Mixon as my RBs.
Only complicating factor is I also have John Kelly, who would be in a tasty matchup situation if Gurley is out.
No way I'd start Kelly. Even if Gurley sits (which I don't think he will), it's not remotely clear how that backfield will shake out. Samuels has a much higher floor and probably a similar ceiling.
shadyridr
Footballguy
Haha Im starting Kamara, Mixon and Samuels as well! Lets go. No way Id bench Samuels with Conner out.
Cowboysfan8
Footballguy
Conner officially out
rockaction
Footballguy
Wow.
grateful zed
Footballguy
Insein
Footballguy
I'm ok with it if a guy played the position at all during the season. Like Ty Montgomery last year or even Joe Webb all those years ago being a WR/qb. But Samuels TE designation came from the fact that he played TE in college. He hasn't been anything but a RB in the NFL.
Yeah, that sucks. Do they not do mid-season positional changes? Seems kind lame they'd not fix that before fantasy Super Bowls.
jm192
Footballguy
One of their fantasy gurus said they didn’t change it once the season started.
Yeah, that sucks. Do they not do mid-season positional changes? Seems kind lame they'd not fix that before fantasy Super Bowls.
Yeah, this is the stance I take as well. And it's a reasonable one. Yahoo! flubbed the ball hard by equating this situation with TyMont and Webb when this is hardly the same set of circumstances. Players change positions all the time when making the transition to the pros. Unless they're transitioning between roles during the season itself you don't pull nonsense like this.
jerry jones
Footballguy
Insein
Footballguy
I really like Mack’s matchup today but am also leaning Chubb over Samuels in that second slot bc of what the Saints defense has done last three weeks to opposing RBs on the ground. Couple that with Chubbs matchup and I think it’s a no brained. Granted Elliott and McCaffrey got going through the air in therr recent matchups with NO but overall they are keeping opponents from scoring points.
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I am in a similar spot with needing two out of David Johnson, Samuels, and Jamaal Williams in standard. All ranked extremely close on all the sites.
PPR I think Samuels would be the best play. Pitt should pass a lot today
joey
Footballguy
I think we'll have more stories of winning than losing with Samuels owners in week 16. Starting him as my 3rd "receiver" in my WR/TE slot has helped put me up by 26 heading into tonight. Love yahoo's oddity of his RB/TE designation this year.
BoltBacker
Footballguy
So he's saying that he worked on speed THIS offseason? Never thought to work on his speed for the NFL combine? Huh. Some of these fluff
Field speed and track sprints are two completely different things. I'm almost certain he didn't have to do any cutting in the 40-yard dash.
