Los Angeles Chargers: Asante Samuel Jr. a week one starter?

With such a massive impact in year one from quarterback Justin Herbert, the Los Angeles Chargers understandably have high expectations for the 2021 season. After somehow landing both offensive tackle Rashawn Slater and cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. in the first two rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft, expectations should be high.

Slater was considered by some to be the top offensive tackle in the 2021 class altogether. Samuel, a second-round pick, was considered by many to be a first-round player who simply lacked ideal size for the cornerback positions.

The Chargers took on plenty of change in the 2021 offseason. Even after the promising (and historic) rookie season of Justin Herbert, they decided to move on from head coach Anthony Lynn and his staff and bring in Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley as their new head coach.

Staley did an incredible job with the Rams’ defense last season. They ranked number one in the NFL in scoring defense, total yards allowed, first downs allowed, and passing yards allowed. They also ranked third in the NFL in run defense and were 10th in turnovers forced.

It helps to have the best defensive player in the league — Aaron Donald — as well as arguably the best cornerback in the league — Jalen Ramsey — but Staley is obviously hoping to bring some of that mojo over to the Los Angeles Chargers.

And he’s going to need the legacy Asante Samuel Jr. to help him do it.

According to Pro Football Focus, Samuel was a huge value for the Chargers at the 47th overall pick.

Samuel looks and plays like the son of an NFL cornerback, or at least what we would all assume it would look like. He’s instinctive, he has a high football IQ, he’s got a natural feel for mirroring routes, and he does a tremendous job when the ball is in the air.

In the Brandon Staley defense, which is a branch off of the Vic Fangio coaching tree, Samuel will be able to showcase his excellent processing skills.

Whether he’s playing inside or outside, I think there’s undoubtedly a role for Samuel with the Los Angeles Chargers’ top defense in 2021, and they would almost be fools to try and slow-play his development.

Samuel was one of the guys that it was clear to see throughout the 2021 NFL Draft evaluation process that it was clear he’s ready to roll.

When it comes to playing off coverage and playing with your eyes on the quarterback, there are few in this draft class that were better in college than Asante Samuel Jr. This is the perfect marriage of player and scheme fit and Samuel should be an instant impact player for this talented Chargers roster.