2021 NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bengals 7-round mock
Florida State. 38. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Asante Samuel, Jr. player. 56. Cornerback
William Jackson is headed for free agency which could open up a hole in the Bengals’ secondary. Grabbing a talent like Samuel in Round 2 could allow Cincinnati to fill the void in a cost-effective manner.
Samuel profiles as just the sort of strong, outside corner that the Bengals like to deploy. This defense plays a lot of man-to-man and that’s the former Florida State star’s specialty. It might take him a few weeks to adjust to the rigors of life in the NFL, but it’s reasonable to expect him to play as an adequate starter sometime around the middle of his rookie season.
The only reason Samuel isn’t a lock to go in Round 1 is that he’s slightly undersized for the position. He can get bullied by the biggest NFL receivers he’ll be forced to compete with. It’s imperative that he had more functional strength to maximize his success at the pro level.
There is a decent chance that Samuel goes off the board before Cincinnati goes on the clock in Round 2. If he’s gone, look for the Bengals to pivot to an alternative corner. Tyson Campbell could also fill this spot and give the defensive coaching staff another young player to build around.