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Wide receiver Curtis Samuel signed as a free agent with the Washington Football Team in the 2021 offseason. Dom Petrillo analyzes the fantasy football impact of this move and Samuel's draft value.
It was clear to everyone that the Washington Football Team was a disaster on offense last season. Despite the lack of talent, a lot of this had to do with their rotating door at the QB position.
From Kyle Allen to Dwayne Haskins and Alex Smith to Tayler Heinicke, the list was long and not distinguished. This season, with Ryan Fitzpatrick in the fold, this should be solidified, at least for one season.
Enter Curtis Samuel into this fray. Not only will he be back with a coach in Ron Rivera with whom he is awfully familiar with, he will also be on a team with a solid defense that allows the offense to remain in games despite any struggles. But what should we expect from Samuel in his first season in Washington? Let us find out.
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A Monumental Task
From a once-proud tradition of winning, the Washington Football Team has plummeted into one of the worst-run franchises in the NFL under Dan Snyder. This futility has made its way onto the field as well. Not just with bad free agent signings but with bad draft choices as well.
Enter Ron Rivera. Along with new team president Jason Wright, Rivera has been transforming the culture in Washington. From drafting Chase Young to jettisoning Haskins, the Washington Football Team has seemingly been turning things around. With the current off-season including moves to add both Fitzpatrick and Samuel, they are getting closer to their goal. Being in a suddenly bad NFC East does not hurt either as they could be seen as the favorites to win the division again in 2021 depending on the recovery of Dak Prescott in Dallas.
Samuel will play a big part in this title run. Not only will he finally provide a second receiver option behind Terry McLaurin in the passing game, he is a versatile player who can also do damage out of the backfield.
Coming out of Ohio State as a running back, Samuel's ability to spell Antonio Gibson will be invaluable to keeping both healthy. While they both will be interchangeable as hybrid slot/running backs, Samuel is the more experienced and will get most of the time at receiver. This will allow him to not only gain more fantasy points as receptions are more valuable than rushes, but he will also be a key target for Fitzpatrick who will throw the ball no matter what the defense wants him to do.
Much like Jameis Winston, this could lead to a lot of fun offensive games. But unlike Winston, Fitzpatrick can also move around and make plays happen. This will greatly benefit the short route guy in Samuel as McLaurin stretches defenses down the field.
After three disappointing seasons in Carolina, Samuel truly showed ability in 2020. With 77 receptions for 851 yards and three TD in 15 games, Samuel finally broke out into the player Carolina had hoped they drafted. As the only player in the NFL with more than 800 receiving yards and 200 rush yards, he also clearly established himself as a force in both areas of the offense. This will continue in Washington as Rivera and Scott Turner will get him involved in many areas of the game plan.
With a 4.9 Y/A average on the ground, Samuel is not just a third-down or fourth-and-one back. His true rushing ability is what got him drafted and it is what makes him so valuable alongside Gibson for Washington.
J.D. McKissic is going to be replaced by a newer and more talented model. It is a shame, but it is the NFL as we know it. This will open up a lot more opportunity for you Gibson truthers and it will also mean good things for the Washington team.
What to Expect for Fantasy?
Curtis Samuel becomes the clear number two option in Washington. With Fitzpatrick behind center, this is a great place to occupy.
Terry McLaurin is a budding star. He will garner most of the attention from defenses. This will free up Samuel to make his mark underneath, a place he lived and breathed last season with 97 targets for Carolina. These targets came despite being behind D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson in the offense and with Teddy Bridgewater at QB. 2021 will be a far better season for him.
His targets will finally get over the 100 thresh hold and his TD numbers could also take a leap. This makes him an attractive mid-round pick as a WR three for your team. Of all the WR you can take in this area, Samuel may have one of the highest upsides and also, more importantly, a higher floor. Injuries not being considered, there is not a path in which Samuel does not take over the number two spot for Washington. Logan Thomas was a nice story last season. He may still be good for fantasy. But Samuel is the new number two, and he will run with it. Do not be afraid to take him in the seventh or eighth round of your fantasy drafts. He may not get you the 30-point games. He will consistently get you the 15-point games you need though.
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