While the Los Angeles Chargers as a whole improved dramatically from 2023 to 2024, cornerback Asante Samuel took a step back in his first season under head coach Jim Harbaugh. Entering the final year of his rookie deal, the former second-round pick struggled out of the gate and suffered a season-ending injury after four games. Now set to test the open market, nobody knows what the future holds for Samuel.
Cornerback is one of the most important positions in the NFL, and Samuel flashed ballhawk ability throughout his first three years in the league. However, his rough 2024 could force him to sign a one-year deal, and the Chargers might not be the best schematic fit for Asante Samuel. Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus believes the cornerback could sign with the Las Vegas Raiders, but the Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers could also be in the running.
“With the Raiders bringing in former Buccaneers assistant general manager John Spytek and projected to have the second-most cap space this offseason, Samuel could become a key target in their rebuild. Addressing their coverage struggles will be a priority, and Samuel’s potential fits perfectly into that plan.”
PFF: Raiders Could Steal Asante Samuel From Chargers
The Las Vegas Raiders are rebuilding from the ground up, as just about every position could use an influx of talent. While the quarterback is obviously the most important part, first-year head coach Pete Carroll must do something about the secondary. Vegas struggled to stop the pass last year, and you can’t have too many cornerbacks when you share a division with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and promising youngster Bo Nix.
Even after a down season, Asante Samuel is one of the better cornerbacks on the free agent market, and the Chargers draft pick could be a perfect fit for this team. A one-year deal makes perfect sense for both sides, as Vegas needs a playmaker and Samuel needs an opportunity to reset his market value.
Pete Carroll isn’t a spring chicken by any stretch of the imagination, the one-time Super Bowl champion head coach knows how to coach up defensive backs. Carroll oversaw the creation of the Legion of Boom with the Seattle Seahawks, and while Samuel won’t turn into the second coming of Richard Sherman, Carroll should put him in an ideal position to succeed.
Other Fits
The Minnesota Vikings defense could look dramatically different in 2025. While defensive coordinator Brian Flores is returning, top cornerbacks Byron Murphy, Shaquill Griffin, and Stephon Gilmore are all impending free agents. Flores’ aggressive scheme requires competent cornerback play, and Samuel could provide that as the Vikings chase another playoff birth.
The Carolina Panthers finished 31st in defensive EPA/play, which must improve in 2025 if this team wants to compete for the NFC South crown. 2023 first-overall pick Bryce Young looked like a franchise quarterback down the stretch, but he’ll need a better defense to turn this team into a legitimate winner. Asante Samuel won’t fix the team all by himself, but the Chargers draft pick could pair nicely with Pro Bowler Jaycee Horn and surprise breakout Mike Jackson.
Main Photo: Jim Dedmon – Imagn Images
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