K.C. Chiefs check in on Asante Samuel Jr. before 2021 NFL Draft

Asante Samuel Jr. is an exciting cornerback prospect who should be a key name to watch for several teams in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft. Among the many franchises that have already checked in with Samuel for a virtual meeting are the K.C. Chiefs, who could be looking to add another bright young corner to the secondary this spring.

The Chiefs already have a solid young cornerback core heading into the 2021 season, but potential losses in free agency could make the position much more tenuous than it is at present.

The Chiefs have yet to tender an offer to Charvarius Ward for the coming season, but if he’s allowed to walk in free agency or signs a deal with a new team that makes him cost prohibitive for K.C., then that’s one hole on the roster. In addition, Bashaud Breeland is also scheduled to hit free agency on Thursday, and he might be looking for more security than the successive one-year deals given to him by the Chiefs in recent offseasons.

Samuel would be an ideal fit for the Chiefs who rely on their corners to play man coverage more than most. At Florida State, Samuel was tasked with the same and showed he can blanket most opposing receivers with ease. There are questions, however, given his smaller size at 5’10” as he lacks the length that Steve Spagnuolo typically prefers in his corners. That said, Breeland, DeAndre Baker, and Rashad Fenton are all just one inch taller than that, so it’s not as if Samuel is a major outlier.

Samuel’s father, Asante Samuel, played for several years in the NFL and even enjoyed three Pro Bowl seasons while playing for current Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who was then with the Philadelphia Eagles.

In eight games this season, Samuel had 30 total tackles, 6 passes deflected, 3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 forced fumble for the Seminoles.