With Jaire Alexander signing with the Baltimore Ravens, former Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel is the best defensive back on the free agent market. A second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Florida State product was one of the few consistently reliable pieces on Brandon Staley’s defense during the first three years of his career. Unfortunately, injuries limited him to just four games in 2024 under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh, and he’s still working his way back to health.
Asante Samuel visited the Saints earlier in the offseason, and reports at the time indicated the cornerback would wait until after his early July checkup to sign with a team. Assuming he is healthy, he should be able to find work in no time. While he doesn’t have Jaire Alexander’s ceiling, he’s a starting-caliber cornerback who could find a home with New Orleans or a team like the Carolina Panthers.
Panthers, Saints Could Fight Over Asante Samuel After Jaire Alexander Signing
Seeing as they already brought him in for a free agent visit, it’s safe to assume the New Orleans Saints are the frontrunners in the Asante Samuel sweepstakes. Quite frankly, it’s easy to see why this team could use another cornerback. After trading Marshon Lattimore last year and losing Paulson Adebo to the New York Giants, this team desperately needs another option to start opposite second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry.
The New Orleans Saints do not have the roster talent to compete for the playoffs, and they’re far more likely to earn the first-overall pick than win the division. However, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t sign Asante Samuel. The 2025 season will be devoted to evaluating first-year quarterback Tyler Shough and head coach Kellen Moore, and you can’t properly assess their abilities if they don’t have the supporting cast to succeed. Samuel will give Moore two starting-caliber cornerbacks to build a defense, while an improved secondary means Shough won’t have to throw as often to keep up in high-scoring games.
The Rebuilding Secondary
Just a few days ago, Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said he “wouldn’t say no” to signing Jaire Alexander. Although that didn’t happen, it indicates that the team is actively seeking help at the cornerback position. The Panthers had one of the league’s worst defenses last year, and while most of the issues stemmed from a weak front seven, they could still use another body in the secondary.
Jaycee Horn finally stayed healthy and had a breakout campaign last year, while Mike Jackson was one of the better offseason additions around the league. Both players will return for 2025, but the Panthers need to find another cornerback. In today’s NFL, nickel defense is essentially the base unit, and someone must start out wide in three-cornerback sets. Asante Samuel is a great choice for the job, as the veteran could give Carolina three reliable options at the position. Assuming Bryce Young continues to develop, this team could surprise in 2025.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – Imagn Images
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