STRENGTHS
Sam is a pass-catching dream come true for the quarterback on the team that selects him. He has receiver-type speed, runs excellent routes and with his spider-like type hands, and athletic agility Sam has the web-catching radius of a tarantula. Sam, with his 4.5 speed, will stretch the field and catch the ball down the field. He has quickness off the snap of the ball that allows him to get quickly into his routes and gain separation. He can be lined up on the outside against cornerbacks because of his route-running talents and can be counted on, in third and long downs to make the catch and yardage needed just like a wide receiver. Sam, like George Kittle and Travis Kelce, will give you the “average yards per catch” needed to put your offense over the hump and into the playoffs. He is a “Dream Catcher” type of offensive weapon.
CONCERNS
I don’t have any info on his ability to block as an H-back or in line but, something tells me with his athleticism, it’s not a big problem. Nat being said until he proves that he can block, some teams will downgrade him on their boards if they are looking for a “complete” Tight End. Teams might also nitpick his size but, he is the same size as George Kittle.
BOTTOM LINE: 1.97
Sam is an offensive weapon, it’s just that simple. He has first-round talent to impact but, in this draft, the round Sam will be selected in is a guess I rather leave to Rob’s value board. George Kittle wasn’t selected until the 5th round but he had very little production to suggest he should be selected any earlier and is a little small by Tight End combine standards. Travis Kelce was selected in the 3rd round. He had excellent size and production but there were character issues that made some teams take him off their boards or he might have been selected earlier because of his size and production. This year Sam is in the mix of what most consider an excellent Tight End class in general. Because of Sam’s size and lack of proven blocking ability, who knows where he will be selected? He could be one of those steals of the draft and wind up being one of the best in this class when it’s all said and done. All I can tell you is, I see a potential offensive weapon who could be as good as George Kittle and I would not wait long to select him thinking I could get him later in this draft. I believe that Sam is more than just a pass-catching Tight End and that’s why I give him such a high grade. Nevertheless, we all know he will not be selected in the first round but he will be a steal in the later rounds because he is a “Dream Catcher” type of potential impact offensive weapon. Check Rob’s value board, it should be interesting.
