College: Missouri

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 260 lbs

Positives

Quickness: With good anticipation and explosion at the snap, Sam displays good quickness right out of the gate. With his fast start to the play, offensive linemen are at an automatic disadvantage in trying to get into position to block him. He is up and around them quickly, or he’s up into their body before they’re ready, enabling him to use his pass rush moves at a more efficient and effective rate. He sets up his entire game with his speed and quickness.

Rush Ability: Sam has good instincts for the quarterback, and a good feel for how to get in the backfield. He converts his speed into leverage very effectively, using a quick start to get his opponent off-guard and upright, enabling Sam to use a decent array of moves to get into the correct spot. He uses his size well in this regard, staying low to the ground and gaining and edge by getting underneath bigger offensive linemen.

Negatives

Size: Sam isn’t big at 260 lbs and, more importantly, at just 6’2”. If a blocker is able to get their hands on him, they can control him and negate his presence on the field. His size also limits his role at the professional level. He is decent against the run, but his size makes it more likely that he’s used as a pure pass rusher, and that he’ll only see time in obvious passing situations.

Scheme Dependency: An undersized player, like Sam, is often converted to outside linebacker in the NFL. However, Sam’s skillset make a move to outside linebacker unlikely. He is much better suited to play as a defensive end, even if an undersized one in a specialty role.

NFL Comparison

Elvis Dumervil: Like Sam, Dumervil came into the NFL as an undersized defensive end. He had tremendous speed and burst, but could be overmatched when a lineman was able to get his hands into his body. Dumervil has thrived as a pro by developing a diverse set of moves and with dogged determination and toughness. Sam will need to work on being versatile and strengthening the weaker parts of his game.

Draft Outlook

Sam’s limits physically and scheme-wise make him a guy that could possibly fall into the third day of the draft. He does have some upside, and could provide a team with an excellent situational pass rusher, so he could sneak into the third round.

Best Fit

Some NFL team might try and play him as a pass rusher in a 3-4, but he is at his best with his hands on the ground in a 4-3. He might be just a third down specialist at first, though he could become more with some hard work. A team like the Seattle Seahawks could take a shot at him with the idea of using him in a rotation with a slew of other pass rushers.